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When to Plant Lettuce in Camden County, GA

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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lettuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (193 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Mar 10 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Mar 21 – May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 25

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~1,192 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 14
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25
Harvest March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ May 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

295 days

Growing Tips for Camden 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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.