Blog

When to plant Celtuce in Marshall County, KS

Celtuce planted in Marshall County between April 8 and April 29 matures in 60–90 days — well before the October 14 first frost. A second sowing from August 5 to August 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celtuce in Marshall County, KS

Marshall County, Kansas Zone 6a July

July in Marshall County, Kansas — your action list

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

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for celtuce

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: celtuce
  • Fall sowing: celtuce

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Marshall County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 840 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 22.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celtuce to ensure they mature before fall.

Marshall County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 17

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.8) is more alkaline than Celtuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Celtuce.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Celtuce will thrive.

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

3
successive plantings in your 175-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 05.

Celtuce Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 683 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.2" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 2.1" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.7" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Marshall 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 ~975 GDD — county provides 2,275 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Marshall County, KS

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 5
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Marshall County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after April 22 in Marshall 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 Marshall County, KS?

Marshall County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, KS?

Marshall County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Celtuce in Marshall County, KS?

In Marshall County, KS, plant Celtuce after the last frost (around April 22) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Marshall County, KS for Celtuce?

Marshall County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Celtuce grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celtuce grow in Marshall County's climate?

Yes — Celtuce grows well in Marshall County's temperate climate. Marshall County averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 22 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Marshall County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Marshall County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Marshall County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.