When to plant lettuce in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAY

Start indoors Jan 31 · Sow Feb 7 · First harvest Mar 19 · Wrap by Apr 30

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsJan 31

Direct sowFeb 7

First harvestMar 19

Last harvestApr 30

Fall succession sowSep 21

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 21 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does lettuce take to grow in zone 9a?

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 7 and first picking around Mar 19.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of lettuce in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 21 for a second harvest before frost.

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