Virginia · Garden vegetables

Lettuce season in Virginia

Typically mid-April to mid-June, and again mid-September to mid-November, with peak early May through late May.

Hatched chalk = early and late shoulders; solid = peak.

At a glance

Early

From mid-April, and again mid-September — first pickings, lighter supply, best prices come later.

Peak

early May through late May; again early October through late October — full stalls, full flavor. This is the stretch to plan around.

Late

Through mid-November — quantity for preserving, and the stalls start dealing.

Season length

about 17 weeks end to end, shoulders included.

Lettuce

Look: Heads look dense for their size with perky, unblemished outer leaves and no browning at the cut end.
Feel: Leaves should feel crisp, not limp — butterheads give slightly while crispheads feel tight and heavy.
Smell: Fresh lettuce smells clean and mildly green; any sour or sulfurous whiff means it is breaking down.
Tip: Shop early in the morning — lettuce cut before the heat of the day stays crisp far longer.
Keeps: Refrigerate unwashed in a bag with a paper towel; most heads keep a week or more.

Chasing the season?

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Frequently asked questions

When is lettuce season in Virginia?

In Virginia, the lettuce season typically runs mid-April to mid-June, and again mid-September to mid-November, with peak availability early May through late May. Exact weeks shift a little with each year's weather.

Can I pick my own lettuce in Virginia?

Rarely a u-pick crop — buy heads from market growers who cut them that morning. The best market weeks are early May through late May.

How long does lettuce season last in Virginia?

about 17 weeks end to end — mid-April to mid-June, and again mid-September to mid-November. The early and late shoulders are real but lighter; the solid stretch of chalk on the band is the sure bet.