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When to Plant Lettuce in East Feliciana Parish, LA

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.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Mar 18 – May 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 24

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~990 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” East Feliciana Parish, LA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 โ€“ Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Direct Sow February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 24
Fall Sowing September 23 Sep 23 โ€“ Oct 7
Harvest March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Jun 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for East Feliciana Parish

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 East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help East Feliciana Parish gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.