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When to plant Lettuce in Charlotte County, FL

Lettuce planted in Charlotte County between January 8 and January 29 matures in 30–60 days — well before the December 31 first frost. A second sowing from February 18 to March 4 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Lettuce in Charlotte County, FL

Lettuce

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.

Charlotte County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 29 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 76 days.

At an elevation of 487 feet, Charlotte County receives approximately 59.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — 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.

Charlotte County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
76 days
Last Spring Frost January 29
76 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Charlotte County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

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 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Feb 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 10" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Oct in Charlotte County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lettuce Planting Timeline — Charlotte County, FL

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 1 Jan 1 – Jan 15
Transplant Outdoors January 29 Jan 29 – Feb 12
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 5 Mar 5 – May 14
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

30–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

76 days in Charlotte County

Growing Tips for Charlotte 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Charlotte County, FL?

Charlotte County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 29. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Charlotte County, FL?

Charlotte County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 29 and first fall frost is .

When should I plant Lettuce in Charlotte County, FL?

In Charlotte County, FL, plant Lettuce after the last frost (around January 1) and before the first frost (around December 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Charlotte County, FL for Lettuce?

Charlotte County sits in USDA Zone 10a. Lettuce grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lettuce grow in Charlotte County's climate?

Yes — Lettuce grows well in Charlotte County's temperate climate. Charlotte County averages a 365-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 1 and first frost around December 31.

🌱

Your Charlotte County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Charlotte County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.