New York · zones 5a–7b
When to plant lettuce in New York.
Sow between Mar 23 to May 7 in a typical year, keyed to New York's median last frost around Apr 30. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 4 to Oct 3. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Lettuce dates for a typical New York season.
Direct sow
Mar 23 to May 7
Keyed to the ~Apr 30 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 6" apart.
Fall round
Aug 4 to Oct 3
Counted back from the ~Oct 18 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~0.4 lb per plant over ~1 weeks.
New York spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5a to 7b. 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.