When to Plant Lettuce in Zone 8
As of 2026-09-11, USDA Zone 8 (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map) has an average annual winter minimum of 10°F to 20°F. PlantingWindowPlan's Cool-season scenario preset for lettuce treats a day as a planting candidate only once measured soil reaches 45°F and the forecast overnight low stays at or above 35°F.
- Crop
- Lettuce
- USDA zone
- Zone 8
- Zone winter minimum
- 10°F to 20°F
- Preset used
- Cool-season scenario
- Minimum soil temperature
- 45°F
- Minimum overnight air
- 35°F
- Maximum daytime air
- 75°F
What zone 8 means for lettuce
Zone 8 is typical of the Deep South, coastal Carolinas, and the Texas Hill Country, and describes average winter cold, not a specific last-frost calendar date. Areas in this zone generally have a long, with a short or absent hard-frost period frost-free growing season, but the exact last-frost date varies by city, elevation and year. Lettuce is a cool-season crop that tolerates cooler soil than tomato; this app’s Cool-season preset lowers the soil and heat thresholds accordingly.
To turn this into a real date: open the tool, use the ZIP-based zone lookup to confirm your exact zone, then import the live forecast for your city and enter a measured soil temperature. The candidate day is the first forecast day that passes every threshold above, not a fixed date on a calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What USDA zone am I in?
Zone 8 covers areas with an average annual winter minimum temperature between 10°F and 20°F, per the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Use the tool's ZIP-based zone lookup for your exact zone; national zone bands do not replace a local reading.
Does zone 8 tell me the exact planting date?
No. Hardiness zone describes winter cold, not a specific last-frost date. Use the tool's live weather import for your location, plus your own soil measurement, to set the actual candidate day.
What thresholds does this page use for lettuce?
The Cool-season scenario preset: minimum soil 45°F, minimum overnight air 35°F, maximum daytime air 75°F. These are editable starting assumptions, not a universal rule.