Blog

When to Plant Celtuce in Washakie County, WY

Washakie County, Wyoming Zone 4b May

What to do in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Washakie County, Wyoming this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost May 10
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 35°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Transplant celtuce outside

    Frost risk is low now in Washakie County, Wyoming. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: celtuce

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • Starting indoors: celtuce

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 6,932 feet, Washakie County receives approximately 13.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celtuce to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Celtuce successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washakie County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Washakie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 1

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 Washakie County

How your county's soil matches Celtuce's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.2) is more alkaline than Celtuce prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Washakie County is excellent for Celtuce — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Celtuce.

How to Plant Celtuce

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Celtuce

2
successive plantings in your 145-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 04 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 496 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 1.6" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3" 0.9" 2.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 1.1" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3" 1.3" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 3" 1.1" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Washakie 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 needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,885 GDD Excellent fit

Celtuce Planting Timeline — Washakie County, WY

Celtuce Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 – Aug 23
Fall Sowing July 10 Jul 10 – Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

145 days in Washakie County

Growing Tips for Celtuce in Washakie County

Direct sow Celtuce outdoors after May 10 in Washakie County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celtuce in Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Celtuce planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washakie County, WY?

Washakie County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Washakie County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Washakie County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

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