When to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Saint Petersburg, Florida (33708)

Location

Saint Petersburg, Florida

ZIP Code

33708

USDA Zone

10b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Based on last frost Thursday, January 15, 2026 · Zone 10b

Pro tip: Sow Leaf Lettuce directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Lactuca sativa

Days to Maturity 45 days

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun

💧

Water

Regular

Seeds typically germinate in 1-7 days

Ready to Plant Leaf Lettuce in Saint Petersburg?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, December 18, 2025.

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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Leaf Lettuce Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Black Seeded Simpson

loose-leaf 45d

Fast-growing heirloom loose-leaf lettuce; one of the most heat-tolerant green lettuces.

Red Sails

loose-leaf 45d

Frilly, burgundy-tinged loose leaf with mild flavor and good heat tolerance.

Oak Leaf

loose-leaf 50d

Deeply lobed, oak-shaped leaves with sweet, mild flavor; very slow to bolt.

Salad Bowl

loose-leaf 45d

All-America Selections winner; frilly bowl-shaped plant with excellent heat tolerance.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let plants bolt fully. Harvest seed heads daily as they ripen — they shatter quickly.

Processing

Shake ripe seed heads into a bag each day, dry seeds 1 week before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Bag flowers of different varieties to prevent crossing, or isolate by 25 feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leaf Lettuce in Saint Petersburg, Florida? +

In Saint Petersburg (Zone 10b), direct sow Leaf Lettuce outdoors around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

What is the last frost date for Saint Petersburg, Florida? +

The average last spring frost date for Saint Petersburg, Florida (ZIP 33708) is around Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10b.

How long does Leaf Lettuce take to grow? +

Leaf Lettuce typically matures in about 45 days from direct sowing. In Saint Petersburg, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, December 18, 2025 plus 45 days.

Should I start Leaf Lettuce indoors or direct sow in Florida? +

Leaf Lettuce does best when direct sown outdoors. In Saint Petersburg, sow directly around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

📚 More Leaf Lettuce Planting Guides

🗺️

Leaf Lettuce in Florida

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

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Zone 10b Leaf Lettuce Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

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Other Plants for Saint Petersburg

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Growing Leaf Lettuce in Zone 10b

Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a popular garden vegetable. In Saint Petersburg, Florida, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b, you should direct sow seeds around Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Leaf Lettuce grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.