When to Plant Lettuce in Newport News City, VA
Your May gardening checklist
A quick May briefing for Newport News City, Virginia gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Start harvesting lettuce
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Newport News City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.
At an elevation of 356 feet, Newport News City receives approximately 41.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Lettuce during the growing season.
Newport News City Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-7.1
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 Newport News City
How your county's soil matches Lettuce's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–7.1) overlaps with Lettuce's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Newport News City is excellent for Lettuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 Sep 18 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 08.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 2.8" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3" | 3.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Newport News City). 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 — Newport News City, VA
Lettuce Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 15 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Direct Sow | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 29 |
| Harvest | April 26 | Apr 26 – Jul 5 |
| Fall Sowing | September 8 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
240 days in Newport News City
Growing Tips for Lettuce in Newport News City
Direct sow Lettuce outdoors after March 22 in Newport News City when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 240.0-day season in Newport News City 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 Newport News City
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 Newport News City, VA?
Newport News City is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Lettuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Newport News City, VA?
Newport News City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 17.
Your Newport News City Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Newport News City (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.