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When to plant Celtuce in Jackson County, CO

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Plant Celtuce between June 6 (after last frost on June 13) and June 27. A second sowing from June 12 to June 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celtuce in Jackson County, CO

Jackson County, Colorado Zone 4b July

Your July gardening checklist

July rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Jackson County, Colorado.

Avg. last frost June 13
Avg. first frost September 4
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Fire up the seed-starting tray: celtuce

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

Looking ahead to August
  • 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.

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 83 days.

At an elevation of 5,388 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celtuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Jackson County, CO (Zone 4b) Very short season
83 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
83 growing days
First Fall Frost September 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 14 Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 8

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 Jackson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–8.1) is more alkaline than Celtuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celtuce.

How to Plant Celtuce

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Celtuce Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 3" 1.7" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3" 1.7" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.5" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Jackson 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 ~750 GDD — county provides 830 GDD Good fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Jackson County, CO

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 13 Jun 13 – Jun 27
Direct Sow June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 27
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 – Sep 26
Fall Sowing June 12 Jun 12 – Jun 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

83 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Jackson County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after June 13 in Jackson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 83.0-day growing season in Jackson County is tight for Celtuce (60.0-90.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

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 Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, CO?

Jackson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 4.

When should I plant Celtuce in Jackson County, CO?

In Jackson County, CO, plant Celtuce after the last frost (around June 13) and before the first frost (around September 4). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jackson County, CO for Celtuce?

Jackson County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Celtuce grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celtuce grow in Jackson County's climate?

Yes — Celtuce grows well in Jackson County's temperate climate. Jackson County averages a 83-day frost-free season, with last frost around June 13 and first frost around September 4.

🌱

Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 4b). 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 Jackson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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