When to Plant Lettuce in Perry County, AR
Your May game plan for Perry County, Arkansas
Each item below is timed to Perry County, Arkansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Bring in the lettuce
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- First harvests: lettuce
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.
Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.
At an elevation of 663 feet, Perry County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.
Perry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Perry County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Perry County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lettuce.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Lettuce.
How to Plant Lettuce
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lettuce
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lettuce
Lettuce needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lettuce Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 5.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Perry County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lettuce 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.
Lettuce Planting Timeline — Perry County, AR
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 19 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Direct Sow | March 12 | Mar 12 – Apr 2 |
| Harvest | April 30 | Apr 30 – Jul 9 |
| Fall Sowing | August 31 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
30–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
228 days in Perry County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Perry County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 26 in Perry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Perry County reach 92°F — grow Lettuce as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Your generous 228.0-day season in Perry County allows multiple plantings of Lettuce. Sow every 15.0 days for continuous harvest.
Common pests for Lettuce in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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.
Recommended Lettuce Varieties for Perry County
Bolt-resistant varieties for warm summers — grow as spring/fall crop
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.
Lettuce in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lettuce in Perry County, AR?
Perry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Perry County, AR?
Perry County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 9.
Your Perry County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Perry 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.