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When to Plant Lettuce in Clatsop County, OR

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.

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 412 feet, Clatsop County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Clatsop County, OR (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Clatsop County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~652 GDD — county provides 2,987 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Clatsop County, OR

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Clatsop 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 Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clatsop County, OR?

Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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