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When to Plant Lettuce in Brunswick 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.

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 526 feet, Brunswick County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Brunswick County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Brunswick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Lettuce needs ~821 GDD — county provides 3,814 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline โ€” Brunswick County, VA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7
Harvest May 12 May 12 โ€“ Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Brunswick 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 Brunswick County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Brunswick County, VA?

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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