When to Plant Lettuce in Rockingham County, NH
Rockingham County, New Hampshire gardeners: here's your May plan
Your Rockingham County, New Hampshire garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.
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Indoor seed-starting week for lettuce
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
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Pick lettuce
The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.
At an elevation of 444 feet, Rockingham County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lettuce to ensure they mature before fall.
Rockingham County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
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 Rockingham County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) is more acidic than Lettuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Rockingham County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Lettuce.
How to Plant Lettuce
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Lettuce
Sow every 3.4 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.
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 | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rockingham County). 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 — Rockingham County, NH
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Direct Sow | April 12 | Apr 12 – May 3 |
| Harvest | May 31 | May 31 – Aug 9 |
| Fall Sowing | August 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
174 days in Rockingham County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Rockingham County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 26 in Rockingham County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 174.0-day season in Rockingham County 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.
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 Rockingham County, NH?
Rockingham County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Rockingham County, NH?
Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Rockingham County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Rockingham 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.