Congrats on your first sprouts! Mine were late this year. The Lupinus perennis sprouted on April 9, usually Lupines sprout in late March. There was still snow in late March though.

Great idea about the lettuce, I eat a lot of salads. Do you actually transplant the little lettuce sprouts to the garden? Is that easier than direct-sowing?

There is no issue transplanting them into anything.. garden, containers ect. Lettuce is a easy transplanter from what Ive experienced.

you can get lettuce 2-3 weeks early at least if not more, like you I still had snow covering my garden until a few days ago, no way its ready to sow direct in.

With lettuces, a late planting in July will give you a fall crop right up through Thanksgiving and you will have no problems with the bitterness or bolting.

My brother built a cold frame with some plywood and an old window and managed to get lettuce from the fall through at least Christmas.

I transplanted my leaf lettuce from the jugs to the garden last week. Kale and brussel sprouts went out yesterday.