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When to plant Celtuce in Bingham County, ID

For Bingham County, gardeners: plant Celtuce May 7 through May 28 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from July 13 to July 27 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celtuce in Bingham County, ID

Bingham County, Idaho Zone 5b June

June in Bingham County, Idaho — your action list

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Bingham County, Idaho this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 21
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
  1. Start celtuce under lights

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

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

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,345 feet, Bingham County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Bingham County, ID (Zone 5b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Bingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 29

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 Bingham County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.7) overlaps with Celtuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 13.

Celtuce Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3" 1.5" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 2.3" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.5" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 2.3" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bingham 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 ~1,088 GDD — county provides 1,783 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Bingham County, ID

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 – Jun 4
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 3
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Bingham County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Bingham County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after May 21 in Bingham 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 Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 21.

When should I plant Celtuce in Bingham County, ID?

In Bingham County, ID, plant Celtuce after the last frost (around May 21) and before the first frost (around September 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bingham County, ID for Celtuce?

Bingham County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Celtuce grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celtuce grow in Bingham County's climate?

Yes — Celtuce grows well in Bingham County's temperate climate. Bingham County averages a 123-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 21 and first frost around September 21.

🌱

Your Bingham County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bingham County (Zone 5b). 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 Bingham County, ID. 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.