When to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Claremont, Illinois (62421)

Location

Claremont, Illinois

ZIP Code

62421

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 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 Claremont?

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 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 Claremont, Illinois? +

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

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

The average last spring frost date for Claremont, Illinois (ZIP 62421) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Leaf Lettuce take to grow? +

Leaf Lettuce typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Claremont, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, March 18, 2026 plus 45 days.

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

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

📚 More Leaf Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Leaf Lettuce in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6b Leaf Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Other Plants for Claremont

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Growing Leaf Lettuce in Zone 6b

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