When to Plant Lettuce in Cheatham County, TN
Cheatham County, Tennessee gardeners: here's your May plan
A quick May briefing for Cheatham County, Tennessee gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Get lettuce seeds going inside
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
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It's harvest week for lettuce
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Get ahead of 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.
Cheatham County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.
At an elevation of 2,381 feet, Cheatham County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.
Cheatham County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.5
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 Cheatham County
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.5) is more acidic than Lettuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Cheatham County is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). 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 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 20.
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 | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3" | 2.7" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2.4" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cheatham 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 — Cheatham County, TN
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Direct Sow | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 12 |
| Harvest | May 10 | May 10 – Jul 19 |
| Fall Sowing | August 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
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 | Fall Sowing |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
207 days in Cheatham County
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Cheatham County
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after April 05 in Cheatham County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Cheatham County reach 94°F — grow Lettuce as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
Your generous 207.0-day season in Cheatham 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 Cheatham 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 Cheatham County, TN?
Cheatham County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cheatham County, TN?
Cheatham County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.
Your Cheatham County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Cheatham 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.