Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Lettuce in New York

Fast-growing and forgiving. Plant in spring and fall for a nearly year-round supply of fresh salad greens.

The Short Answer

Lettuce are cold-tolerant and do well in New York's mild climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as May 20 - Jun 5 in Adirondacks. New York gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay...

New York Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of New York you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Adirondacks 3b, 4a, 4b May 20 - Jun 5 Sep 5 - Sep 20
Capital Region/Hudson Valley 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
New York City/Long Island 7a, 7b Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 20 - Nov 10
Western New York 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10

Lettuce Planting Schedule for New York

Adirondacks (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Capital Region/Hudson Valley (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

New York City/Long Island (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 10

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Western New York (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Lettuce in New York

Lettuce in New York's Climate

Lettuce grows well in spring and fall but bolts when summer temperatures consistently exceed 80°F. Direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost and succession plant every 2 weeks until mid-May. Resume in August for fall harvest. Summer lettuce is possible with heat-tolerant varieties and afternoon shade, but expect shorter-lived plantings.

Soil Considerations for New York

Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas.

New York Climate & Growing Season

Wide climate variation. NYC has mild winters. Adirondacks have very short seasons. Lake effect modifies weather near Great Lakes.

Growing season length varies across New York: Adirondacks (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York (5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 15. This difference matters for lettuce — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Shade cloth extends the season into warmer months.

Companion Planting

Plant lettuce alongside these companions for better growth:

Carrots Radishes Strawberries Chives

The Bottom Line

Lettuce can be grown successfully across New York, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Adirondacks gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Western New York can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Lettuce Growing Guide National planting guide with all states New York Planting Calendar All plants for New York Lettuce in Alabama Alabama planting dates Lettuce in Alaska Alaska planting dates Lettuce in Arizona Arizona planting dates Lettuce in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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