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When to Plant Lettuce in Anchorage Municipality, AK

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season green available in leaf, romaine, butterhead, and crisphead types. It is the foundation of salads and one of the easiest crops to grow.

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.

At an elevation of 2,537 feet, Anchorage Municipality receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 71ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lettuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Anchorage Municipality, AK (Zone 4b) Short season
127 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
127 growing days
First Fall Frost September 19

Anchorage Municipality Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 29 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~146 GDD — county provides 412 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Anchorage Municipality, AK

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Fall Sowing June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Jul 11
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 28

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

127 days

Growing Tips for Anchorage Municipality

Sow seeds directly every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to delay bolting. Harvest in the morning for crispest leaves.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Lettuce Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let plants bolt and flower. Harvest seed heads when fluffy.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Anchorage Municipality, AK?

Anchorage Municipality is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anchorage Municipality, AK?

Anchorage Municipality, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Anchorage Municipality gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Anchorage Municipality, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.