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When to Plant Lettuce in Morris 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.

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 185 feet, Morris County receives approximately 69.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Morris County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 10 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 20

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~990 GDD — county provides 5,368 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Morris County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Jun 25

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

244 days

Growing Tips for Morris 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 Morris County, TX?

Morris County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, TX?

Morris County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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