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When to Plant Lettuce in Klamath 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.

Klamath County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 100 days.

At an elevation of 142 feet, Klamath County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Lettuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Klamath County, OR (Zone 6a) Short season
100 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
100 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Klamath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 25 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 9 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 9

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
2.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~551 GDD — county provides 1,225 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Klamath County, OR

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jun 27
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 20
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Start Indoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

100 days

Growing Tips for Klamath 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 Klamath County, OR?

Klamath County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Klamath County, OR?

Klamath County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Klamath 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 Klamath County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.