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When to Plant Celtuce in Grant County, KY

Celtuce (stem lettuce) is a Chinese vegetable grown for its thick, crunchy stem rather than its leaves. The peeled stem has a mild, cucumber-like flavor.

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,483 feet, Grant County receives approximately 46.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Grant County, KY (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in Grant County

How your county's soil matches Celtuce's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“7.1) overlaps with Celtuce's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Grant County is excellent for Celtuce โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Celtuce.

How to Plant Celtuce

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celtuce

3
successive plantings in your 194-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celtuce needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, KY

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

194 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Grant County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after April 15 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Celtuce in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow in spring or start indoors. Space 12 inches apart. Harvest when stems are about 1 inch in diameter. Peel the tough outer skin to reveal the tender center.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celtuce in Grant County, KY?

Grant County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, KY?

Grant County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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