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When to Plant Lettuce in Burnet 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.

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 1,090 feet, Burnet County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Burnet County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Burnet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 24

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 40 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~889 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Burnet County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 30 Jan 30 โ€“ Feb 13
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 โ€“ Sep 25
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Jun 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
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

259 days

Growing Tips for Burnet 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 Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burnet County, TX?

Burnet County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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