When to Plant Head Lettuce in Rochester, New York (14607)

Location

Rochester, New York

ZIP Code

14607

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Based on last frost Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Zone 6b

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

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Lactuca sativa

Days to Maturity 70 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 1-7 days

Ready to Plant Head Lettuce in Rochester?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Wednesday, March 18, 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 Head Lettuce Varieties

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

Buttercrunch

butterhead 65d

Award-winning butterhead with tender, creamy inner leaves and exceptional flavor.

Iceberg

crisphead 75d

Classic crunchy head lettuce with pale, mild leaves; very heat-sensitive, best in cool weather.

Romaine (Paris Island Cos)

romaine 70d

Upright romaine with crisp ribs and dark green outer leaves; the Caesar salad standard.

Little Gem

mini-romaine 60d

Miniature romaine-butterhead cross; perfect for small gardens with dense, sweet heads.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let heads bolt — cut an X in the head to encourage the seed stalk to push through.

Processing

Harvest seed heads as they brown, dry 1 week, thresh gently to release seeds.

Seed Viability

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

Pro Tip

Lettuce is self-pollinating but can occasionally cross — bag individual plants for perfectly pure seed.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Head Lettuce in Rochester, New York? +

In Rochester (Zone 6b), direct sow Head Lettuce outdoors around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Rochester, New York? +

The average last spring frost date for Rochester, New York (ZIP 14607) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Head Lettuce take to grow? +

Head Lettuce typically matures in about 70 days from direct sowing. In Rochester, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, March 18, 2026 plus 70 days.

Should I start Head Lettuce indoors or direct sow in New York? +

Head Lettuce does best when direct sown outdoors. In Rochester, sow directly around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

📚 More Head Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Head Lettuce in New York

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6b Head Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Growing Head Lettuce in Zone 6b

Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Rochester, New York, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, you should direct sow seeds around Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Head Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.