Lettuce in Zone 3a & 3b
Lactuca sativa
When to plant lettuce in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Lettuce tolerates either.
| Start indoors | May 2–May 9 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 16–May 23 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~45 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
If you want a first-garden success story in under six weeks, lettuce is it. It germinates reliably, tolerates a light frost, and, unlike a lot of vegetables. You can harvest outer leaves gradually instead of waiting for one big harvest day.
How lettuce fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Lettuce needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Carrot: Shallow lettuce roots don't compete with deep carrot roots.
- Radish: Radish matures fast and breaks up soil for lettuce.
Where to buy lettuce seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lettuce" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lettuce in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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