When to plant lettuce in Walla Walla, WA

Plant lettuce in the garden in Walla Walla Mar 20 – May 15, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 6–20. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 20 – Sep 3.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Walla Walla's typical last spring frost is March 27. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Feb 6–20 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 20 – May 15, 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 Walla Walla, WA?

Typically March 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Walla Walla Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Walla Walla?

The spring planting window runs through May 15. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 20 to September 3.

When should I start lettuce from seed indoors in Walla Walla?

February 6 to February 20, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the March 20 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

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Also plant in Walla Walla around the same time

Planting dates for lettuce in nearby areas

Pendleton, OR Mar 20 – May 15
The Dalles, OR Mar 20 – May 15
Yakima, WA Mar 27 – May 22
Wenatchee, WA Mar 20 – May 15
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Mar 20 – May 15
Moses Lake, WA Mar 20 – May 15

Full planting calendar for Walla Walla · Lettuce in every city