When to Plant Head Lettuce in Alma, New York (14708)

Location

Alma, New York

ZIP Code

14708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

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 Alma?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, March 28, 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 Alma, New York? +

In Alma (Zone 5b), direct sow Head Lettuce outdoors around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

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

The average last spring frost date for Alma, New York (ZIP 14708) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Head Lettuce take to grow? +

Head Lettuce typically matures in about 70 days from direct sowing. In Alma, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, March 28, 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 Alma, sow directly around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

📚 More Head Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Head Lettuce in New York

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

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Zone 5b Head Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Growing Head Lettuce in Zone 5b

Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Alma, New York, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Head Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.