When to Plant Head Lettuce in Minneapolis, Minnesota (55421)

Location

Minneapolis, Minnesota

ZIP Code

55421

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 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 Minneapolis?

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 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 Minneapolis, Minnesota? +

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

What is the last frost date for Minneapolis, Minnesota? +

The average last spring frost date for Minneapolis, Minnesota (ZIP 55421) is around Sunday, May 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5a.

How long does Head Lettuce take to grow? +

Head Lettuce typically matures in about 70 days from direct sowing. In Minneapolis, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, April 12, 2026 plus 70 days.

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

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

📚 More Head Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Head Lettuce in Minnesota

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

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Zone 5a Head Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Growing Head Lettuce in Zone 5a

Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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. Head Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.