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When to Plant Celtuce in Refugio 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.

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 1,000 feet, Refugio County receives approximately 68.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Celtuce may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celtuce root diseases.

Refugio County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Refugio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Refugio County, TX

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 16
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 – Jun 1
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
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 9b

📆 Growing Season

293 days in Refugio County

Growing Tips for Refugio 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 Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Refugio County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Refugio County (Zone 9b). 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 Refugio County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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