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When to Plant Lettuce in Dimmit 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.

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 2,638 feet, Dimmit County receives approximately 63.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Dimmit County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
278 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Dimmit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Mar 20 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 2 – Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 26 – Jul 5

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 121 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~922 GDD — county provides 5,719 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Dimmit County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Jun 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

278 days

Growing Tips for Dimmit 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 Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dimmit County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Dimmit County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.