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When to Plant Lettuce in Flagler 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.

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 134 feet, Flagler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Flagler County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 17

Flagler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (215 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 22 🍅 Harvest: Feb 26 – May 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (210 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 5 🍅 Harvest: Mar 12 – May 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (196 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Jun 13

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 1,630 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~1,091 GDD — county provides 7,663 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Flagler County, FL

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Direct Sow January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Feb 5
Fall Sowing October 22 Oct 22 โ€“ Nov 5
Harvest March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ May 21

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท 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 โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
December โ€”

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 9a

Growing Season

315 days

Growing Tips for Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.