When to plant lettuce in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant lettuce shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about December 8 in San Mateo to May 19 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | December 12 – January 2 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | December 16 – January 6 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | December 12 – January 2 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 9 – December 30 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 24 – January 14 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 22 – January 12 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | December 19 – January 9 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | December 17 – January 7 |
Lettuce in California: FAQ
When can I plant lettuce in California?
Across California, the time to transplant lettuce spans roughly December 8 in San Mateo to May 19 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lettuce planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lettuce planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does lettuce take to grow in California?
Lettuce takes about 45–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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