When to plant lettuce in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Feb 25 · Sow Mar 4 · First harvest Apr 13 · Wrap by May 25

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 25

Direct sowMar 4

First harvestApr 13

Last harvestMay 25

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does lettuce take to grow in zone 8a?

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 4 and first picking around Apr 13.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of lettuce in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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