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When to Plant Lettuce in Bland County, VA

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.

Bland County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 546 feet, Bland County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Bland County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Bland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1

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
Drought risk

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

Lettuce needs ~855 GDD — county provides 3,097 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Bland County, VA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Bland 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 Bland County, VA?

Bland County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bland County, VA?

Bland County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bland County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bland County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.