Field guide
When to plant lettuce in USDA Zones 7–8
In USDA Zones 7–8, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for lettuce runs from March to April, with a second window from September to October. Lettuce takes 30–60 days from planting to first harvest.
Open plannerPlanting calendar for USDA Zones 7–8
- Spring planting
- March to April
- Fall planting
- September to October
- Days to harvest
- 30–60 days
- Water needs
- medium
What USDA Zones 7–8 do—and do not—tell you
These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly 0°F to 20°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.
Succession planting: Plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest
How to know when to harvest
- Leaves are full-sized (4-6 inches for leaf lettuce)
- Head feels firm when gently squeezed (head lettuce)
- Harvest before center stem elongates — that means bolting
Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.
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