When to plant lettuce in zone 10a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 10A

Growing SeasonZone 10a

Last frost ~Jan 31First frost ~Dec 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPR

Start indoors Jan 3 · Sow Jan 10 · First harvest Feb 19 · Wrap by Apr 2

Last spring frostJan 31

Start seeds indoorsJan 3

Direct sowJan 10

First harvestFeb 19

Last harvestApr 2

Fall succession sowOct 6

First fall frostDec 15

Why these dates work in zone 10a

Zone 10a's last spring frost averages Jan 31 and first fall frost Dec 15 — about 318 frost-free days. Lettuce tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 4 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Oct 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does lettuce take to grow in zone 10a?

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 10a that means sowing around Jan 10 and first picking around Feb 19.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 10a?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 10a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Jan 31) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 15).

Can I plant a second crop of lettuce in zone 10a?

Yes — in zone 10a there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 6 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full lettuce growing guide →