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When to plant Lettuce in Luce County, MI

Plant Lettuce in Luce County from May 8 to May 29 in spring. Luce County sits in USDA Zone 5a, with last frost around May 22 and first frost on October 3. A second sowing from July 25 to August 8 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Lettuce in Luce County, MI

Lettuce

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.

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lettuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Luce County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Luce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lettuce Planting Timeline — Luce County, MI

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Transplant Outdoors May 22 May 22 – Jun 5
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Sep 4
Fall Sowing July 25 Jul 25 – Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

30–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Luce County

Growing Tips for Luce 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 →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Luce County, MI?

Luce County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Luce County, MI?

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Lettuce in Luce County, MI?

In Luce County, MI, plant Lettuce after the last frost (around May 22) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Luce County, MI for Lettuce?

Luce County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Lettuce grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lettuce grow in Luce County's climate?

Yes — Lettuce grows well in Luce County's temperate climate. Luce County averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 22 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Luce County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Luce County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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