When to plant lettuce in North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 7a–8b, so the right time to plant lettuce shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about February 22 in Goldsboro to April 11 in Boone — below are local dates for 96 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 8a | March 30 | November 3 | March 9 – March 30 |
| Raleigh | 8a | March 28 | November 8 | March 7 – March 28 |
| Greensboro | 8a | April 1 | November 4 | March 11 – April 1 |
| Durham | 8a | April 2 | November 4 | March 12 – April 2 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | March 26 | November 9 | March 5 – March 26 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | March 30 | November 10 | March 9 – March 30 |
| Cary | 8a | March 27 | November 8 | March 6 – March 27 |
| Wilmington | 8b | March 19 | November 20 | February 26 – March 19 |
Lettuce in North Carolina: FAQ
When can I plant lettuce in North Carolina?
Across North Carolina, the time to transplant lettuce spans roughly February 22 in Goldsboro to April 11 in Boone, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lettuce planting date vary across North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina publishes 96 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lettuce planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does lettuce take to grow in North Carolina?
Lettuce takes about 45–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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