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When to Plant Lettuce in Greene County, AL

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season green available in leaf, romaine, butterhead, and crisphead types. It is the foundation of salads and one of the easiest crops to grow.

Greene County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 128 feet, Greene County receives approximately 61.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lettuce, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Greene County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 23

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~821 GDD — county provides 4,307 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, AL

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 27
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Greene County

Sow seeds directly every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to delay bolting. Harvest in the morning for crispest leaves.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Lettuce Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let plants bolt and flower. Harvest seed heads when fluffy.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Greene County, AL?

Greene County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, AL?

Greene County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Greene County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.