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When to Plant Lettuce in Blanco County, TX

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.

Blanco County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 4,826 feet, Blanco County receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay 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.

Blanco County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Blanco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 21

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~788 GDD — county provides 4,515 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Blanco County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 15
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Jun 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
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

258 days

Growing Tips for Blanco 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 Blanco County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Blanco County, TX?

Blanco County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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