Blog

When to Plant Lettuce in Woodruff County, AR

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.

Woodruff County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 1,343 feet, Woodruff County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Woodruff County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Woodruff County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 22

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 206 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~754 GDD — county provides 3,869 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Woodruff County, AR

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 August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
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 Fall Sowing
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

231 days

Growing Tips for Woodruff 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 Woodruff County, AR?

Woodruff 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 Woodruff County, AR?

Woodruff County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Woodruff 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 Woodruff County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.