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When to Plant Lettuce in Androscoggin County, ME

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.

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,087 feet, Androscoggin County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Androscoggin County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Androscoggin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Lettuce

Lettuce needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lettuce Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Oct in Androscoggin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Androscoggin County, ME

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 22
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Aug 21
Fall Sowing July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 11

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 Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

151 days in Androscoggin County

Growing Tips for Androscoggin County

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Androscoggin County, ME?

Androscoggin County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Androscoggin County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Androscoggin County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.