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When to Plant Lettuce in Florence County, WI

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.

Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 1,147 feet, Florence County receives approximately 34.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lettuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Florence County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Florence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 24

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~518 GDD — county provides 1,357 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Florence County, WI

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 9
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Fall Sowing June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Jul 13
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 8

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

118 days

Growing Tips for Florence 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 Florence County, WI?

Florence County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 26. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Florence County, WI?

Florence County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Florence County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Florence County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.