When to plant Lettuce in California

In spring, from Jan 1 – Feb 1 in Agoura Hills to May 20 – June 30 in Truckee.

For a fall crop, from June 1 – Aug 1 in South Lake Tahoe to Sept 15 – Dec 31 in Yucaipa.

USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Leaf lettuce planting dates by place in California
PlaceSpringFall
AdelantoFeb 1 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Agoura HillsJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Alameda—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Albany—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Alhambra—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Aliso Viejo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
American CanyonJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Anaheim—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
AndersonJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Antioch—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Apple ValleyFeb 1 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Arcadia—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ArcataJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Arroyo GrandeJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Artesia—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ArvinJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
AtascaderoJan 15 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
AtwaterJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
AuburnJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
AvenalJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Azusa—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BakersfieldJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Baldwin Park—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BanningJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BarstowJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
BeaumontJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BelmontJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BeniciaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Berkeley—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BlytheJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
BrawleyJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Brea—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Brentwood—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Burbank—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Burlingame—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CalabasasJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Calexico—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
California CityJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
CalimesaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Camarillo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CampbellJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Canyon LakeJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CarlsbadJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CeresJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Cerritos—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ChicoJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
ChinoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Chino HillsJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ChowchillaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Chula Vista—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Citrus Heights—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Claremont—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ClaytonJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ClearlakeMar 15 – May 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
Clovis—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Coachella—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CoalingaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Colton—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Concord—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
CorcoranJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
CoronaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Corte MaderaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Covina—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Cupertino—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Daly City—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Dana Point—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
DanvilleJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
DavisJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
DelanoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Desert Hot SpringsJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Diamond Bar—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
DinubaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
DixonJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
DuarteApr 1 – June 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
DublinJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
East Palo AltoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
EastvaleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
El Cajon—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
El Centro—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
El Cerrito—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
El Monte—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)Jan 15 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Elk GroveJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Emeryville—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Encinitas—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Escondido—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
EurekaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ExeterJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
FairfieldJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
FarmersvilleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Fillmore—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Folsom—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Fontana—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
FortunaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Foster CityJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Fremont—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Fresno—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
GaltJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
GilroyJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Glendale—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Glendora—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Goleta—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Grand Terrace—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Grass ValleyMar 15 – May 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
GreenfieldJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Grover BeachJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Half Moon BayJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
HanfordJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Hayward—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
HealdsburgJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
HemetJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
HerculesJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
HesperiaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
HighlandJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Hillsborough—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
HollisterJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Imperial—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Imperial Beach—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Indio—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Irvine—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Jurupa Valley—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
KermanJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
King CityJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
KingsburgJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
La Habra—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
La Mesa—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
La Mirada—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
La Puente—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
La Quinta—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
La Verne—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Lafayette—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Beach—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Hills—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Niguel—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Woods—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Lake ElsinoreJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Lake Forest—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
LancasterFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
LarkspurJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
LathropJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Lemon Grove—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
LemooreJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
LincolnJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
LindsayJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
LivermoreJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Livingston—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
LodiJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Loma LindaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
LompocJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Los Altos—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Los BanosJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Los GatosJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
MaderaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
MantecaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
MarinaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
MartinezJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
MarysvilleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
McFarlandJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
MendotaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
MenifeeJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Menlo ParkJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
MercedJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Mill ValleyJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Millbrae—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Milpitas—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Mission Viejo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ModestoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
MonroviaApr 1 – June 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Montclair—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Montebello—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Monterey—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Monterey Park—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Moorpark—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Moraga—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Moreno ValleyJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Morgan HillJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Morro BayJan 1 – Feb 1—
Mountain View—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
MurrietaJan 1 – Feb 1—
NapaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Newark—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
NewmanJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
NorcoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Norwalk—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Novato—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
OakdaleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Oakland—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Oakley—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
OceansideJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Ontario—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Orinda—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
OrovilleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Oxnard—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Pacific Grove—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Palm Desert—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Palm Springs—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PalmdaleJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Palo AltoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ParlierJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PattersonJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
PerrisJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PetalumaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Pico Rivera—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Piedmont—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Pinole—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Pittsburg—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Placentia—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PlacervilleFeb 15 – Apr 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Pleasant Hill—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PleasantonJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Pomona—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Port Hueneme—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
PortervilleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Poway—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Cordova—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Cucamonga—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Santa Margarita—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Red BluffJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
ReddingJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
RedlandsJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Redwood CityJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ReedleyJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Rialto—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Richmond—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
RidgecrestJan 15 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Rio Vista—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
RiponJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
RiverbankJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Riverside—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
RocklinJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Rohnert ParkJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Rosemead—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
RosevilleJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Sacramento—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SalinasJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Anselmo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San BernardinoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Buenaventura (Ventura)—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San CarlosJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Clemente—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Dimas—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Fernando—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Francisco—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Gabriel—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San JacintoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Jose—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Juan Capistrano—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Leandro—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Luis ObispoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Marcos—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Mateo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Pablo—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San Rafael—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
San RamonJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SangerJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa Clara—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa Clarita—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa CruzJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa Fe Springs—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa MariaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa Paula—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Santa RosaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Santee—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SaratogaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Scotts ValleyFeb 1 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Seaside—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SelmaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
ShafterJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Shasta LakeJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Sierra MadreApr 1 – June 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
Simi ValleyJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Solana Beach—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SoledadMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
SonomaJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
South El Monte—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
South Lake TahoeMay 20 – June 30June 1 – Aug 1
South San Francisco—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
StocktonJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Suisun CityJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Sunnyvale—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
SusanvilleMay 1 – June 30July 15 – Sept 1
TehachapiApr 1 – June 1Aug 15 – Oct 1
TemeculaJan 1 – Feb 1—
Temple City—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Thousand Oaks—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
TracyJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
TruckeeMay 20 – June 30June 1 – Aug 1
TulareJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Turlock—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Tustin—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Twentynine PalmsJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
UkiahFeb 1 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
Union City—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Upland—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
VacavilleJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
VallejoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
VictorvilleFeb 1 – Apr 1Aug 25 – Oct 1
VisaliaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
VistaJan 1 – Feb 1—
Walnut—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Walnut Creek—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
WascoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
WatsonvilleJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
West Covina—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
West SacramentoJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Whittier—Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
WildomarJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
WindsorJan 1 – Mar 15Sept 1 – Nov 1Now
WoodlandJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now
Yorba LindaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Yuba CityJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
YucaipaJan 1 – Feb 1Sept 15 – Dec 31Now
Yucca ValleyJan 15 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Dec 1Now

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. “—” means outside the table. 63 other places in California have frost dates outside the table. The full USDA table for leaf lettuce.

Updated