When to Plant Lettuce in Del Norte County, CA
May to-do list for Del Norte County, California
Your garden in Del Norte County, California is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Basket week: lettuce
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Del Norte County, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.
At an elevation of 72 feet, Del Norte County receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Lettuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.
Del Norte County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5.9-7
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 Del Norte County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.9–7.0) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Del Norte County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Lettuce will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Lettuce.
How to Plant Lettuce
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lettuce
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 21 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 25.
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 | — | 8.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 9.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 1.1" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3" | 0.3" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3" | 0" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3" | 0" | 3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3" | 0.4" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3" | 1.9" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 7.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Del Norte 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 — Del Norte County, CA
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Direct Sow | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 27 |
| Harvest | May 1 | May 1 – Jul 10 |
| Fall Sowing | September 25 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
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 |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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 9b
📆 Growing Season
238 days in Del Norte County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Del Norte County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 27 in Del Norte County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Del Norte County dries quickly — mulch Lettuce with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Your generous 238.0-day season in Del Norte 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 Del Norte 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 Del Norte County, CA?
Del Norte County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Del Norte County, CA?
Del Norte County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 20.
Your Del Norte County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Del Norte County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.