When to Plant Lettuce in Zone 5

Lactuca sativa

Last updated: May 15, 2026 · Sources: USDA, NOAA, Cooperative Extension
Action Plan

Plant Lettuce in Zone 5

  • Start indoors: Apr 2
  • Transplant: Apr 30 — after last frost (Apr 30)
  • First harvest: Jun 5 (30–60 days)
⚠️ Don't plant before last frost (Apr 30) — cold snaps kill young transplants.
Last frost
Apr 30
First frost
Oct 5
Growing season
158 days
Quick Facts
Sunlight ⛅ Partial Sun
Water Needs 💧💧 Moderate
Spacing 12 inches apart
Planting Depth 0.125 inch
Min Soil Temp 40°F
Germination 2–10 days
Days to Maturity 30–60 days
Frost Tolerance Light frost tolerance
Soil pH 6.0–7.0
Difficulty Easy
What you'll need — Zone 5
🛒 Lettuce — Seeds & Supplies
  • 🌱 Lettuce Seeds Blend
  • 🌱 Garden Row Cover
  • 🌱 Self-Watering Planter

Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.

Growing Tips

  • Most varieties ready in 30–45 days.
  • Harvest outer leaves first to extend production for weeks.
  • Plant in partial shade during summer to slow bolting.
  • Sow every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
  • Keep soil consistently moist — dry soil causes bitterness.

Common Mistakes

  • Planting in full summer heat — bolts quickly above 75°F.
  • Planting seeds too deep — lettuce needs light to germinate.
  • Not thinning seedlings — crowded plants bolt faster.
  • Skipping fall planting — fall lettuce is sweeter and slower to bolt.

Companion Planting

Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.

✓ Good Companions

Carrot Radish Strawberry

✗ Avoid Nearby

Celery

Lettuce Schedule — All Zones

ZoneStart IndoorsTransplant Direct SowHarvest StartHarvest End
Zone 3 Apr 17 May 15 May 15 Jun 20 Aug 19
Zone 4 Apr 12 May 10 May 10 Jun 15 Aug 14
Zone 5 Apr 2 Apr 30 Apr 30 Jun 5 Aug 4
Zone 6 Mar 18 Apr 15 Apr 15 May 21 Jul 20
Zone 7 Mar 8 Apr 5 Apr 5 May 11 Jul 10
Zone 8 Feb 20 Mar 20 Mar 20 Apr 25 Jun 24
Zone 9 Jan 31 Feb 28 Feb 28 Apr 5 Jun 4
Zone 10 Jan 13 Feb 10 Feb 10 Mar 18 May 17
Zone 11 Jan 1 Jan 15 Jan 15 Feb 20 Apr 21
Zone 12 — any any year_round year_round
Zone 13 — any any year_round year_round
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.
Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.