When to plant lettuce in Gresham, OR

Plant lettuce in the garden in Gresham Mar 1 – Apr 26, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Gresham's typical last spring frost is March 16. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun in spring; afternoon shade in summer
Spacing: 8 to 10 inches apart for heads
Planting depth: ¼ inch deep (it needs light to sprout)
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 50 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Jan 18 – Feb 1 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Mar 1 – Apr 26, 8 to 10 inches apart for heads. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ inch deep (it needs light to sprout).
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Pick outer leaves as needed, or cut whole heads when full. Harvest in the morning for the crispest leaves.

Varieties that do well here

Buttercrunch
Black Seeded Simpson
Winter Density

Watch out for

Slugs are the Northwest lettuce pest. Iron phosphate slug bait is safe around pets and edible crops.

Tolerates light frost. Sow every two to three weeks; choose heat-tolerant types for later sowings.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Gresham, OR?

Typically March 16. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Portland-Troutdale Airport.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Gresham?

The spring planting window runs through April 26. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 20 to September 3.

When should I start lettuce from seed indoors in Gresham?

January 18 to February 1, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the March 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

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Also plant in Gresham around the same time

Planting dates for lettuce in nearby areas

Portland, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26
Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26
Salem, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26
Eugene, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26
Roseburg, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26
Medford, OR Mar 1 – Apr 26

Full planting calendar for Gresham · Lettuce in every city