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When to plant Celtuce in Rawlins County, KS

Plant Celtuce in Rawlins County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 17. Continue planting through May 8 for the spring crop. A second sowing from August 1 to August 15 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celtuce in Rawlins County, KS

Rawlins County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Your June game plan for Rawlins County, Kansas

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

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
  1. Sow celtuce in trays indoors

    You're about 15 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 795 feet, Rawlins County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season.

Rawlins County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Rawlins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 26

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 Rawlins County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) is more alkaline than Celtuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 162-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 01.

Celtuce Water Budget

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

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 2.6" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Rawlins 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 ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,470 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Rawlins County, KS

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 14
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 – Aug 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Rawlins County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Rawlins County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after May 01 in Rawlins 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 Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 10.

When should I plant Celtuce in Rawlins County, KS?

In Rawlins County, KS, plant Celtuce after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Rawlins County, KS for Celtuce?

Rawlins 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 Rawlins County's climate?

Yes — Celtuce grows well in Rawlins County's temperate climate. Rawlins County averages a 162-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 10.

🌱

Your Rawlins County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rawlins 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.

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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 Rawlins County, KS. 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.