When to Plant Lettuce in Haskell 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.
Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.
At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.
Haskell County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.4
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 Haskell County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.4) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — 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 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 2.5" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3" | 1.6" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3" | 2.2" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.3" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.2" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Haskell 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 — Haskell County, KS
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | May 23 | May 23 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| 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
183 days in Haskell County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Haskell County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 18 in Haskell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 183.0-day season in Haskell 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 Haskell 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 Haskell County, KS?
Haskell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?
Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Haskell County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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