Lettuce in Zone 8a & 8b
Lactuca sativa
When to plant lettuce in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Lettuce tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Feb 25–Mar 4 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 11–Mar 18 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 25–May 2 (~45 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
If you want a first-garden success story in under six weeks, lettuce is it. It germinates reliably, tolerates a light frost, and, unlike a lot of vegetables. You can harvest outer leaves gradually instead of waiting for one big harvest day.
How lettuce fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Lettuce needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Carrot: Shallow lettuce roots don't compete with deep carrot roots.
- Radish: Radish matures fast and breaks up soil for lettuce.
Where to buy lettuce seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lettuce" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lettuce in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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