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When to Plant Lettuce in Solano County, CA

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season green available in leaf, romaine, butterhead, and crisphead types. It is the foundation of salads and one of the easiest crops to grow.

Solano County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Solano County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95Β°F, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat.

Solano County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 9
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 3

Solano County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Lettuce

Lettuce needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lettuce Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 8.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 8.4" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 6.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" πŸ’§ Light watering
May 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 3.3" 1" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec 4.3" 7.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Solano County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lettuce Planting Timeline β€” Solano County, CA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 12 Jan 12 – Jan 26
Transplant Outdoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 9
Harvest March 16 Mar 16 – May 25
Fall Sowing October 8 Oct 8 – Oct 22

Plant 0.5" deep Β· 6" apart Β· Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June β€”
July β€”
August β€”
September β€”
October Fall Sowing
November β€”
December β€”

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

30–60 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

πŸ“† Growing Season

297 days in Solano County

Growing Tips for Solano County

Sow seeds directly every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to delay bolting. Harvest in the morning for crispest leaves.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Lettuce Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let plants bolt and flower. Harvest seed heads when fluffy.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35Β°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Solano County, CA?

Solano County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 9. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Solano County, CA?

Solano County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 9 and first fall frost is December 3.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Solano County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Solano County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.