When to Plant Lettuce in Concordia Parish, LA
May to-do list for Concordia Parish, Louisiana
May is a pivotal month for Concordia Parish, Louisiana gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Bring in the lettuce
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Looking ahead to June
- First harvests: 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.
Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.
At an elevation of 377 feet, Concordia Parish receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.
Concordia Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Concordia Parish
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–7.3) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Concordia Parish 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
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lettuce
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 16 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 20.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 5.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 5.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 6.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Concordia Parish). 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 Planting Timeline — Concordia Parish, LA
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 8 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Direct Sow | February 15 | Feb 15 – Mar 8 |
| Harvest | April 12 | Apr 12 – Jun 21 |
| Fall Sowing | September 20 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
252 days in Concordia Parish
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Concordia Parish
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 08 in Concordia Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Concordia Parish reach 92°F — grow Lettuce as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Your generous 252.0-day season in Concordia Parish 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 Concordia Parish
Bolt-resistant varieties for warm summers — grow as spring/fall crop
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.
Lettuce in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lettuce in Concordia Parish, LA?
Concordia Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Concordia Parish, LA?
Concordia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 15.
Your Concordia Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Concordia Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.