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When to plant Celtuce in Nevada County, AR

Aim to plant Celtuce in Nevada County on or after March 9; the window stays open through March 30. Nevada County's 226-day frost-free season gives you enough for a full main crop and a short fall succession. A second sowing from August 26 to September 9 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celtuce in Nevada County, AR

Nevada County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

June to-do list for Nevada County, Arkansas

Your garden in Nevada County, Arkansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 4
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Start harvesting celtuce

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: celtuce

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Celtuce (stem lettuce) is a Chinese vegetable grown for its thick, crunchy stem rather than its leaves. The peeled stem has a mild, cucumber-like flavor.

Nevada County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 1,493 feet, Nevada County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celtuce root diseases.

Nevada County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Nevada County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28

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.

Soil Compatibility in Nevada County

How your county's soil matches Celtuce's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.1) overlaps with Celtuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Nevada County is excellent for Celtuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Celtuce.

How to Plant Celtuce

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celtuce

4
successive plantings in your 226-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 26.

Celtuce Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Celtuce

Celtuce needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celtuce Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Nevada County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celtuce Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Celtuce needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,124 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Nevada County, AR

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest May 25 May 25 – Jul 6
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 – Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

226 days in Nevada County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Nevada County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after March 23 in Nevada County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Celtuce in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow in spring or start indoors. Space 12 inches apart. Harvest when stems are about 1 inch in diameter. Peel the tough outer skin to reveal the tender center.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celtuce in Nevada County, AR?

Nevada County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nevada County, AR?

Nevada County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 4.

When should I plant Celtuce in Nevada County, AR?

In Nevada County, AR, plant Celtuce after the last frost (around March 23) and before the first frost (around November 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nevada County, AR for Celtuce?

Nevada County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Celtuce grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celtuce grow in Nevada County's climate?

Yes — Celtuce grows well in Nevada County's temperate climate. Nevada County averages a 226-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 23 and first frost around November 4.

🌱

Your Nevada County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nevada County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Nevada County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.