When Should You Harvest Lettuce?
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GardenSays
Lettuce plants are ready when leaf types usable at 5-6 inches tall (take outer leaves first); cut-and-come-again at 6-10 inches — in Minneapolis, MN, typically May 17 – Jul 17.
- Ready when
- leaf types usable at 5-6 inches tall (take outer leaves first); cut-and-come-again at 6-10 inches
- Days to maturity
- 40-80
- Est. first harvest
- May 17 – Jul 17
Ready when: leaf types usable at 5-6 inches tall (take outer leaves first); cut-and-come-again at 6-10 inches. Cut just above ground level with sharp scissors — watered and fed, it regrows for a second cut in 2-3 weeks.
- Once harvest season starts, check every few days; in heat, watch for a rising center stalk (bolting = bitter).
Do this this week
- 1.Watch for the sign: leaf types usable at 5-6 inches tall (take outer leaves first); cut-and-come-again at 6-10 inches
- 2.Check every few days; in heat, watch for a rising center stalk (bolting = bitter)
- 3.Then: refrigerate washed and dried; harvest in the cool morning
Typical estimate · 1 verified source · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
On the calendar: planting on schedule in Minneapolis, MN puts first harvest around May 17 – Jul 17 (our estimate from the typical planting window plus 40-80 days to maturity). Weather, variety and care shift this by weeks — trust the sign above over the date.
Storage: refrigerate washed and dried; harvest in the cool morning.
- Days-to-maturity figures are averages from trial conditions — your season, variety and weather move them, which is why the visual readiness sign is the deciding test.
When this doesn't apply
- If you planted earlier or later than the typical window, shift the estimated dates by the same amount.
How this was calculated
- 1. Planting windowApr 7 – Apr 28Calculated result
Lettuce goes in on the same schedule the Planting calculator gives for Minneapolis, MN
- 2. Days to maturity40-80 daysSource guidance
40-80 days from seed (UMD Extension — Growing Lettuce in a Home Garden)
- 3. Estimated first-harvest windowMay 17 – Jul 17GardenSays estimate
Planting window + days to maturity — an estimate; the readiness sign always wins
Data sources
- UMD Extension — Growing Lettuce in a Home Garden — Lettuce: 40-80 days depending on type; leaf lettuce usable at 5-6 inches (outer leaves first); cut-and-come-again at 6-10 inches, regrows in 2-3 weeks; heat/day-length cause bolting and bitterness. (checked 2026-07-17)
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