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When to Plant Celtuce in Atlantic County, NJ

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.

Atlantic County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 232 feet, Atlantic County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Atlantic County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Atlantic County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 11

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celtuce needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,033 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline โ€” Atlantic County, NJ

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Atlantic County

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 Atlantic County, NJ?

Atlantic County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Atlantic County, NJ?

Atlantic County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Atlantic County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Atlantic County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.