When to Plant Lettuce in Anderson County, KS
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.
Anderson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.
At an elevation of 466 feet, Anderson County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.
Anderson County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Anderson County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.4) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Anderson County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Lettuce will thrive.
How to Plant Lettuce
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lettuce
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Lettuce
Lettuce needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lettuce Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 2.3" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 2.5" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.2" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 1.7" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Anderson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lettuce Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Lettuce Planting Timeline — Anderson County, KS
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 11 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Direct Sow | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 18 |
| Harvest | May 16 | May 16 – Jul 25 |
| Fall Sowing | August 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
30–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
196 days in Anderson County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Anderson County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 11 in Anderson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 196.0-day season in Anderson County allows multiple plantings of Lettuce. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Lettuce in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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.
Recommended Lettuce Varieties for Anderson County
Bolt-resistant varieties for warm summers — grow as spring/fall crop
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.
Lettuce in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lettuce in Anderson County, KS?
Anderson County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Anderson County, KS?
Anderson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 24.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Anderson County gardeners in Zone 6a 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.