When to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Brooks, Maine (04921)

Location

Brooks, Maine

ZIP Code

04921

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, May 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, May 10, 2026 · Zone 5a

Pro tip: Sow Leaf Lettuce directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Lactuca sativa

Days to Maturity 45 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 1-7 days

Ready to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Brooks?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, April 12, 2026.

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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Leaf Lettuce Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Black Seeded Simpson

loose-leaf 45d

Fast-growing heirloom loose-leaf lettuce; one of the most heat-tolerant green lettuces.

Red Sails

loose-leaf 45d

Frilly, burgundy-tinged loose leaf with mild flavor and good heat tolerance.

Oak Leaf

loose-leaf 50d

Deeply lobed, oak-shaped leaves with sweet, mild flavor; very slow to bolt.

Salad Bowl

loose-leaf 45d

All-America Selections winner; frilly bowl-shaped plant with excellent heat tolerance.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let plants bolt fully. Harvest seed heads daily as they ripen — they shatter quickly.

Processing

Shake ripe seed heads into a bag each day, dry seeds 1 week before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Bag flowers of different varieties to prevent crossing, or isolate by 25 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leaf Lettuce in Brooks, Maine? +

In Brooks (Zone 5a), direct sow Leaf Lettuce outdoors around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Brooks, Maine? +

The average last spring frost date for Brooks, Maine (ZIP 04921) is around Sunday, May 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5a.

How long does Leaf Lettuce take to grow? +

Leaf Lettuce typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Brooks, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, April 12, 2026 plus 45 days.

Should I start Leaf Lettuce indoors or direct sow in Maine? +

Leaf Lettuce does best when direct sown outdoors. In Brooks, sow directly around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

📚 More Leaf Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Leaf Lettuce in Maine

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5a Leaf Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Growing Leaf Lettuce in Zone 5a

Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Brooks, Maine, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, you should direct sow seeds around Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Leaf Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.