When to plant lettuce in Yakima, WA

Plant lettuce in the garden in Yakima Mar 27 – May 22, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 13–27. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 9–23.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

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 13–27 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 27 – May 22, 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 9–23 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through May 22. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 9 to August 23.

When should I start lettuce from seed indoors in Yakima?

February 13 to February 27, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the March 27 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

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How to Control Slugs in a Northwest GardenPractical, pet-safe ways to protect seedlings, lettuce and strawberries from the Pacific Northwest's most famous garden pest.

Also plant in Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for lettuce in nearby areas

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

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Lettuce in every city