Blog

When to Plant Lettuce in Greene County, OH

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.

Greene County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 515 feet, Greene County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Greene County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Greene County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23

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 Greene County

How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“7.0) is within Lettuce's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Greene County is excellent for Lettuce โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) โ€” Lettuce will thrive.

How to Plant Lettuce

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Lettuce

7
successive plantings in your 179-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~652 GDD — county provides 2,595 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Greene County, OH

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

30โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

179 days in Greene County

Growing Tips for Lettuce in Greene County

Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 23 in Greene County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 179.0-day season in Greene 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 Greene County

Bolt-resistant varieties for warm summers โ€” grow as spring/fall crop

Jericho Muir Nevada New Red Fire

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 Greene County, OH?

Greene County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greene County, OH?

Greene County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greene 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.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Greene County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.