Zone 3 · Leafy Greens Growing Guide

When to Plant Lettuce (Leaf)
in Zone 3

One of the fastest crops in the garden. Sow directly, harvest outer leaves as cut-and-come-again. Bolts in heat — succession sow every 2 weeks through spring and again in fall.

Plant outdoors
Apr 25 – Jun 15, Aug 1 – Aug 20
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~May 15
Days to harvest
30–45 days
Difficulty
Easy
Plant now — Zone 3
Harvest window: May – Jul, Sep – Oct

Planting Calendar

In Zone 3, Lettuce (Leaf) should be planted outdoors Apr 25 – Jun 15, Aug 1 – Aug 20, after the average last frost date of approximately May 15.

Direct sow early. Succession sow every 2 weeks for steady supply. Use cold frame for earliest and latest harvests.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade · 3–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
6–8 inches
Soil
Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-draining
Days to maturity
30–45 days
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
plant tip · Zone 3

Direct sow early. Succession sow every 2 weeks for steady supply. Use cold frame for earliest and latest harvests.

Feeding Schedule

How often
every 3 weeks
Feed type
high nitrogen
Key timing
throughout growing season

Leafy crops need consistent nitrogen. Liquid feed every 3 weeks. Hot conditions cause bolting regardless of feeding.

Succession Planting

Sow every 2 weeks

Sow every 2 weeks from your last frost date through early summer, then again in late summer for autumn harvests. This gives you continuous salad rather than a glut you can't eat.

Companion Planting for Lettuce (Leaf)

What you plant next to lettuce (leaf) makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Carrots
  • Radishes
  • Strawberries
  • Onions
Keep away from
  • Celery
  • Parsley
  • Fennel

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Common questions

In Zone 3, direct sow lettuce (leaf) outdoors Apr 25 – Jun 15, Aug 1 – Aug 20 after your last frost date of approximately May 15. Direct sow early. Succession sow every 2 weeks for steady supply. Use cold frame for earliest and latest harvests.
Zone 3 has an average last spring frost of approximately May 15 and a first fall frost around Sep 15. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for lettuce (leaf) include Carrots, Radishes, Strawberries, Onions. Avoid planting near Celery, Parsley, Fennel, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Lettuce (Leaf) typically takes 30–45 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 3. Expected harvest window: May – Jul, Sep – Oct.

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Lettuce (Leaf) in other zones
Crop Guides