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When to Plant Celtuce in Pittsburg County, OK

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.

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 620 feet, Pittsburg County receives approximately 32.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Pittsburg County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pittsburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 31

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 Pittsburg County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.2) overlaps with Celtuce's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 211-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 96 gal / 100 sq ft
Celtuce needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,692 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline โ€” Pittsburg County, OK

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

211 days in Pittsburg County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Pittsburg County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after April 04 in Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pittsburg County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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