Blog

When to plant Lettuce in Sumner County, KS

In Sumner County, plant Lettuce in spring between March 28 and April 18, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Sumner County's last frost averages April 11, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between August 17 and August 31 — roughly 30–60 days before the first frost on October 26.

When to Plant Lettuce in Sumner County, KS

Lettuce

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.

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 637 feet, Sumner County receives approximately 29 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.

Sumner County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Sumner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Lettuce Planting Timeline — Sumner County, KS

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 18
Harvest May 16 May 16 – Jul 25
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

30–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

198 days in Sumner County

Growing Tips for Sumner County

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.

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 Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Lettuce in Sumner County, KS?

In Sumner County, KS, plant Lettuce after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sumner County, KS for Lettuce?

Sumner County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Lettuce grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Lettuce grow in Sumner County's climate?

Yes — Lettuce grows well in Sumner County's temperate climate. Sumner County averages a 198-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Sumner County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sumner County (Zone 7a). 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 Sumner County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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