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When to Plant Lettuce in Walthall County, MS

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.

Walthall County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 207 feet, Walthall County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lettuce, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Walthall County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Walthall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (147 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 20

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~788 GDD — county provides 4,305 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Walthall County, MS

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ Jun 28

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 Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Walthall 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 Walthall County, MS?

Walthall County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walthall County, MS?

Walthall County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Walthall County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Walthall County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.