When to Plant Lettuce in Hughes County, OK
Top priorities for Hughes County, Oklahoma gardeners in May
May is a pivotal month for Hughes County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Sow lettuce in trays indoors
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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Pick lettuce
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
June prep starts now
- 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.
Hughes County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.
At an elevation of 602 feet, Hughes County receives approximately 28.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.
Hughes County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-7.6
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 Hughes County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–7.6) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Hughes County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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 Sep 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 1.7" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 5.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 2.9" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 1.6" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 0.8" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hughes 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 — Hughes County, OK
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 21 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Direct Sow | March 14 | Mar 14 – Apr 4 |
| Harvest | May 2 | May 2 – Jul 11 |
| Fall Sowing | August 24 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
30–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
219 days in Hughes County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Hughes County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 28 in Hughes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 219.0-day season in Hughes 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.
Recommended Lettuce Varieties for Hughes County
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 Hughes County, OK?
Hughes County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hughes County, OK?
Hughes County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.
Your Hughes County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hughes County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.