Best Lettuce & Salad Greens to Grow in California

Start your fall lettuce from seed in late August through September for transplanting in early October, giving plants time to establish before winter's mild cold snaps. For spring crops, begin seeding indoors in late January, transplanting outdoors by mid-February after your average last frost date of February 15th. The secret to Zone 9 lettuce success is succession planting every 2-3 weeks from fall through early spring, then making your final spring plantings by early March to avoid the bolt-inducing heat.

During Zone 9's unpredictable winter weather, row covers become your best friend for protecting transplants from occasional dips below 32°F. Focus on afternoon shade during late spring – even cool-season varieties benefit from protection against intense southern sun as temperatures climb toward summer. When daytime highs consistently reach the mid-80s (typically by late April), it's time to harvest everything and plan your fall comeback. Consider container growing during shoulder seasons, as you can easily move plants to shadier spots when heat stress threatens.