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When to plant Lettuce in Ware County, GA

Plant Lettuce in Ware County from February 11 to March 4 in spring. Ware County sits in USDA Zone 9a, with last frost around March 4 and first frost on November 22. A second sowing from September 27 to October 11 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Lettuce in Ware County, GA

Lettuce
Ware County, Georgia Zone 9a June

Top priorities for Ware County, Georgia gardeners in June

June is a pivotal month for Ware County, Georgia gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Start harvesting lettuce

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

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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.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Lettuce, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Ware County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Lettuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Mar 27 – Jun 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jul 7

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 Ware County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) is more acidic than Lettuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Ware County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Lettuce

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Lettuce

10
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 27.

Lettuce Water Budget

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

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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ware 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 needs ~956 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Lettuce Planting Timeline — Ware County, GA

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Harvest April 8 Apr 8 – Jun 17
Fall Sowing September 27 Sep 27 – Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Lettuce in Ware County

Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Lettuce. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Ware County reach 95°F — grow Lettuce as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Your generous 263.0-day season in Ware 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 Ware County

Bolt-resistant varieties for warm summers — grow as spring/fall crop

Jericho Muir Nevada New Red Fire

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Lettuce in Ware County, GA?

In Ware County, GA, plant Lettuce after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ware County, GA for Lettuce?

Ware County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Lettuce grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lettuce grow in Ware County's climate?

Yes — Lettuce grows well in Ware County's temperate climate. Ware County averages a 263-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Ware County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ware County (Zone 9a). 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 Ware County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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