When to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Champaign, Illinois (61821)

Location

Champaign, Illinois

ZIP Code

61821

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Monday, March 23, 2026

Based on last frost Monday, April 20, 2026 · Zone 6a

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 Champaign?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Monday, March 23, 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 Champaign, Illinois? +

In Champaign (Zone 6a), direct sow Leaf Lettuce outdoors around Monday, March 23, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Champaign, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Champaign, Illinois (ZIP 61821) is around Monday, April 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6a.

How long does Leaf Lettuce take to grow? +

Leaf Lettuce typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Champaign, that means you can expect harvest around Monday, March 23, 2026 plus 45 days.

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

Leaf Lettuce does best when direct sown outdoors. In Champaign, sow directly around Monday, March 23, 2026.

📚 More Leaf Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Leaf Lettuce in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6a Leaf Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Other Plants for Champaign

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Growing Leaf Lettuce in Zone 6a

Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Champaign, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, you should direct sow seeds around Monday, March 23, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Monday, April 20, 2026. Leaf Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.