Michigan · zones 4b6b

When to plant lettuce in Michigan.

Sow between Mar 28 to May 12 in a typical year, keyed to Michigan's median last frost around May 5. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 25 to Sep 23. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Lettuce dates for a typical Michigan season.

Direct sow

Mar 28 to May 12

Keyed to the ~May 5 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 6" apart.

Fall round

Jul 25 to Sep 23

Counted back from the ~Oct 8 first frost.

Harvest

~45 days later

~0.4 lb per plant over ~1 weeks.

Michigan spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 4b to 6b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.