When to Plant Lettuce in Clatsop County, OR
Clatsop County, Oregon gardeners: here's your May plan
Your garden in Clatsop County, Oregon is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Indoor seed-starting week for lettuce
You're about 26 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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It's harvest week for lettuce
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.
Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.
At an elevation of 412 feet, Clatsop County receives approximately 54.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°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.
Clatsop County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.7
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 Clatsop County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clatsop County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Lettuce will thrive.
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 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 09.
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 | — | 8.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 2.1" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3" | 0.9" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3" | 1.1" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2.4" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 8.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 9.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Clatsop 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 — Clatsop County, OR
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Direct Sow | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 12 |
| Harvest | May 17 | May 17 – Jul 26 |
| Fall Sowing | September 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
206 days in Clatsop County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Clatsop County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 12 in Clatsop County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 206.0-day season in Clatsop 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 Clatsop 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 Clatsop County, OR?
Clatsop County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Clatsop County, OR?
Clatsop County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is November 4.
Your Clatsop County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Clatsop County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.