When to plant lettuce in Klamath Falls, OR

Plant lettuce in the garden in Klamath Falls Apr 28 – Jun 23, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Mar 17–31. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 24 – Aug 7.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Klamath Falls's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun in spring; afternoon shade in summer
Spacing: 8 to 10 inches apart for heads
Planting depth: ¼ inch deep (it needs light to sprout)
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 50 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Mar 17–31 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 28 – Jun 23, 8 to 10 inches apart for heads. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ inch deep (it needs light to sprout).
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Jul 24 – Aug 7 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Pick outer leaves as needed, or cut whole heads when full. Harvest in the morning for the crispest leaves.

Varieties that do well here

Buttercrunch
Black Seeded Simpson
Winter Density

Watch out for

Slugs are the Northwest lettuce pest. Iron phosphate slug bait is safe around pets and edible crops.

Tolerates light frost. Sow every two to three weeks; choose heat-tolerant types for later sowings.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Klamath Falls, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Klamath Falls Airport.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Klamath Falls?

The spring planting window runs through June 23. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 24 to August 7.

When should I start lettuce from seed indoors in Klamath Falls?

March 17 to March 31, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the April 28 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

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How to Control Slugs in a Northwest GardenPractical, pet-safe ways to protect seedlings, lettuce and strawberries from the Pacific Northwest's most famous garden pest.

Also plant in Klamath Falls around the same time

Planting dates for lettuce in nearby areas

Bend and Redmond, OR Apr 28 – Jun 23
Burns, OR Apr 30 – Jun 25
Baker City, OR Apr 20 – Jun 15

Full planting calendar for Klamath Falls · Lettuce in every city