FrostCal

When to Plant Lettuce in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, sow outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in Newport News and as late as Mar 29 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 3 – Sep 17.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 45–60 days

Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.

Lettuce Planting Dates by City

CityDirect sowFall planting
Virginia BeachMar 1 – Mar 15Sep 17 – Oct 1
NorfolkFeb 23 – Mar 9Sep 21 – Oct 5
ChesapeakeFeb 23 – Mar 9Sep 21 – Oct 5
RichmondMar 6 – Mar 20Sep 9 – Sep 23
ArlingtonMar 12 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 19
Newport NewsFeb 16 – Mar 2Oct 1 – Oct 15
AlexandriaMar 6 – Mar 20Sep 13 – Sep 27
East HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 10Sep 20 – Oct 4
HamptonFeb 24 – Mar 10Sep 20 – Oct 4
RoanokeMar 6 – Mar 20Sep 6 – Sep 20
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 23 – Mar 9Sep 21 – Oct 5
PortsmouthFeb 23 – Mar 9Sep 21 – Oct 5
SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 13Sep 20 – Oct 4
South SuffolkFeb 27 – Mar 13Sep 20 – Oct 4
LynchburgMar 20 – Apr 3Aug 30 – Sep 13
CentrevilleMar 18 – Apr 1Aug 29 – Sep 12
Dale CityFeb 28 – Mar 14Sep 13 – Sep 27
West LynchburgMar 20 – Apr 3Aug 30 – Sep 13
RestonMar 17 – Mar 31Sep 3 – Sep 17
HarrisonburgMar 24 – Apr 7Aug 28 – Sep 11
LeesburgMar 19 – Apr 2Aug 30 – Sep 13
McLeanMar 12 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 19
CharlottesvilleMar 8 – Mar 22Sep 9 – Sep 23
TuckahoeMar 13 – Mar 27Sep 5 – Sep 19
BlacksburgMar 27 – Apr 10Aug 24 – Sep 7
AshburnMar 16 – Mar 30Aug 31 – Sep 14
DanvilleMar 11 – Mar 25Sep 6 – Sep 20
ManassasMar 15 – Mar 29Sep 1 – Sep 15
Lake RidgeMar 15 – Mar 29Sep 1 – Sep 15
BurkeMar 17 – Mar 31Sep 3 – Sep 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant lettuce in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, sow outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in Newport News and as late as Mar 29 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 3 – Sep 17.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do lettuce take to grow?

Lettuce typically take 45–60 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.

Other Crops in Virginia

When to plant lettuce in other states

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