Blog

When to Plant Lettuce in Curry 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.

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 295 feet, Curry County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Curry County, OR (Zone 9a) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Curry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 4 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 192 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~855 GDD — county provides 4,655 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Curry County, OR

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 26 Sep 26 โ€“ Oct 10
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 9a

Growing Season

245 days

Growing Tips for Curry 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 Curry County, OR?

Curry County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Curry County, OR?

Curry County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Curry County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Curry County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.