When to plant lettuce in Washington
Washington’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Lettuce needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Washington's growing season.
Washington covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant lettuce in Washington: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 30 – Apr 16, with seeds started indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 80°F.
Succession sow again in Washington: Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 12 · May 24
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow lettuce in Washington, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 16 – Mar 30). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 2-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 65°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 8 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 30 – Apr 16). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 14 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Washington.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, slugs, snails, cutworm. Diseases and disorders: downy mildew, bottom rot, tipburn (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about May 6 – Jun 5). Lettuce takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. Seed needs light - barely cover it. Will not germinate above ~80 F soil. Loose-leaf types give the fastest, most forgiving cut-and-come-again harvest.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Washington’s average frost dates. More in the full lettuce growing guide.
Lettuce planting dates by USDA zone in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the lettuce dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant lettuce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
When to plant lettuce in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (this page) | April 20 | Mar 30 – Apr 16 |
| Oregon | April 20 | Mar 30 – Apr 16 |
Questions gardeners in Washington ask
When is the best time to plant lettuce in Washington?
Plant lettuce transplants outdoors in Washington between March 30 and April 16. That timing is set by Washington's average last spring frost of April 20; Washington spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Washington?
Start seeds indoors between March 16 and March 30, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 30.
Can I plant lettuce in the fall in Washington?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 10 and August 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Washington's first frost around October 15.
When will lettuce planted in Washington be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, lettuce is usually ready from about May 6 to June 5, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Washington?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.