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When to Plant Lettuce in Brewster 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.

Brewster County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 2,724 feet, Brewster County receives approximately 43.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Lettuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Brewster County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Brewster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.9-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 499 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Lettuce needs ~1,058 GDD — county provides 5,381 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Brewster County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest May 1 May 1 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Brewster 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 Brewster County, TX?

Brewster County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brewster County, TX?

Brewster County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brewster County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Brewster County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.