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When to Plant Lettuce in Allegany County, NY

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.

Allegany County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 778 feet, Allegany County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Allegany County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Allegany County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~652 GDD — county provides 2,044 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Allegany County, NY

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 30

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 Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 5a

Growing Season

141 days

Growing Tips for Allegany 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

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 Allegany County, NY?

Allegany County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Allegany County, NY?

Allegany County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Allegany 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 Allegany County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.