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When to Plant Celtuce in Brunswick County, VA

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.

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 526 feet, Brunswick County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Brunswick County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Brunswick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 3

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Celtuce needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,814 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline โ€” Brunswick County, VA

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 21

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 Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Brunswick 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 Brunswick County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Brunswick County, VA?

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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