When to Plant Celtuce in Wood County, TX
Top priorities for Wood County, Texas gardeners in May
A quick May briefing for Wood County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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It's harvest week for celtuce
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
Looking ahead to June
- First harvests: celtuce
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.
Wood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.
At an elevation of 15 feet, Wood County receives approximately 65.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Celtuce during the growing season. 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.
Wood County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.5
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 Wood County
How your county's soil matches Celtuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.5) overlaps with Celtuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Wood County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Celtuce will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Celtuce.
How to Plant Celtuce
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Celtuce
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Celtuce
Celtuce needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Celtuce Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 6.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 10.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 9.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 8.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 6.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3" | 2.5" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Wood County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Celtuce 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.
Celtuce Planting Timeline — Wood County, TX
Celtuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Direct Sow | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 19 |
| Harvest | May 14 | May 14 – Jun 25 |
| Fall Sowing | September 7 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
249 days in Wood County
Growing Tips for Celtuce in Wood County
Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after March 12 in Wood County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Wood County dries quickly — mulch Celtuce with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Common pests for Celtuce in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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 →
Celtuce in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celtuce in Wood County, TX?
Wood County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wood County, TX?
Wood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 16.
Your Wood County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wood County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.