When to Plant Leaf Lettuce in New Orleans, Louisiana (70121)

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

ZIP Code

70121

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b

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 New Orleans?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, January 13, 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 New Orleans, Louisiana? +

In New Orleans (Zone 9b), direct sow Leaf Lettuce outdoors around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

What is the last frost date for New Orleans, Louisiana? +

The average last spring frost date for New Orleans, Louisiana (ZIP 70121) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.

How long does Leaf Lettuce take to grow? +

Leaf Lettuce typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In New Orleans, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, January 13, 2026 plus 45 days.

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

Leaf Lettuce does best when direct sown outdoors. In New Orleans, sow directly around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

📚 More Leaf Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Leaf Lettuce in Louisiana

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9b Leaf Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Other Plants for New Orleans

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Growing Leaf Lettuce in Zone 9b

Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In New Orleans, Louisiana, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should direct sow seeds around Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Leaf Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.