When to plant lettuce in zone 9b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPR

Start indoors Jan 18 · Sow Jan 25 · First harvest Mar 6 · Wrap by Apr 17

Last spring frostFeb 15

Start seeds indoorsJan 18

Direct sowJan 25

First harvestMar 6

Last harvestApr 17

Fall succession sowOct 1

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 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 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 9b that means sowing around Jan 25 and first picking around Mar 6.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

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

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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