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When to Plant Celtuce in Hemphill County, TX

Celtuce (stem lettuce) is a Chinese vegetable grown for its thick, crunchy stem rather than its leaves. The peeled stem has a mild, cucumber-like flavor.

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,231 feet, Hemphill County receives approximately 53.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Celtuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celtuce will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celtuce root diseases.

Hemphill County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Hemphill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celtuce

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

Month Celtuce Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hemphill County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Hemphill County, TX

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Jul 29
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Hemphill County

Growing Tips for Hemphill County

Direct sow in spring or start indoors. Space 12 inches apart. Harvest when stems are about 1 inch in diameter. Peel the tough outer skin to reveal the tender center.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celtuce in Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hemphill County, TX?

Hemphill County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

🌱

Your Hemphill County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hemphill County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.