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When to Plant Lettuce in Broward County, FL

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.

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 209 feet, Broward County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lettuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Broward County, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Broward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,954 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~889 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Broward County, FL

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 โ€“ Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors January 1 Jan 1 โ€“ Jan 15
Direct Sow December 11 Dec 11 โ€“ Jan 1
Fall Sowing November 5 Nov 5 โ€“ Nov 19
Harvest February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Apr 16

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 10b

Growing Season

364 days

Growing Tips for Broward 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

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Broward County, FL?

Broward County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broward County, FL?

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Broward County gardeners in Zone 10b 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 Broward County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.