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When to Plant Lettuce in Bee County, TX

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.

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 301 days.

At an elevation of 2,076 feet, Bee County receives approximately 68.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103Β°F, so Lettuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lettuce root diseases.

Bee County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
301 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
301 growing days
First Fall Frost December 11

Bee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Lettuce

Lettuce needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Lettuce Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan β€” 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" πŸ’§ Light watering
Mar 4.3" 4.6" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 6.8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.5" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.8" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.1" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.3" 0" βœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" πŸ’§ Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" πŸ’§ Light watering
Dec 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Bee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall β€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Lettuce Planting Timeline β€” Bee County, TX

Lettuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 – Feb 13
Harvest March 20 Mar 20 – May 29
Fall Sowing October 16 Oct 16 – Oct 30

Plant 0.5" deep Β· 6" apart Β· Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June β€”
July β€”
August β€”
September β€”
October Fall Sowing
November β€”
December β€”

Growing Conditions

β˜€οΈ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

πŸ’§ Water

Moderate β€” regular watering

πŸ“… Days to Maturity

30–60 days

πŸ§ͺ Soil pH

Needs 6–7 Β· Your soil: N/A

πŸ—ΊοΈ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

πŸ“† Growing Season

301 days in Bee County

Growing Tips for Bee County

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

  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Lettuce Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let plants bolt and flower. Harvest seed heads when fluffy.
Storage Store airtight; viable 6 years at 35Β°F, under 45% humidity.

Very easy to save. Let a few plants bolt each season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in Bee County, TX?

Bee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date β€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bee County, TX?

Bee County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 11.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner β€” designed to help Bee County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bee County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.