If you’re wondering when to plant lettuce in Mississippi, you’re in the right place. Getting the timing right is the single most important step for a crisp, productive harvest in our unique climate.
Mississippi’s long, hot summers are tough on cool-season lettuce. The key is to work around the heat. This guide gives you the clear schedule and tips you need for success, from the Delta to the Coast.
When to Plant Lettuce in Mississippi
For most of Mississippi, you have two main planting windows: early spring and fall. The fall season is often longer and more reliable because it avoids the summer heat spike.
Spring Planting Dates
Start your seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last expected spring frost. For outdoor planting, you can begin as soon as the soil is workable—meaning it’s not waterlogged or frozen.
- North MS: Plant outdoors from late February through mid-March.
- Central MS: Plant outdoors from mid-February through early March.
- South MS: Plant outdoors from early February through late February.
Be ready with row covers if a late frost surprises you. The goal is to get lettuce harvested before the heat of June causes it to bolt, or go to seed.
Fall Planting Dates
Fall is the premier lettuce season in Mississippi. You’ll plant in late summer for harvest in the cooler autumn months.
- North MS: Plant from late August through September.
- Central MS: Plant from early September through early October.
- South MS: Plant from mid-September through late October.
For fall planting, calculate backwards from your first average fall frost date. Plant so that lettuce matures around that time, or use protection to extend the season further.
Winter Planting Possibilities
With protection like cold frames or heavy mulch, gardeners in southern and coastal Mississippi can often grow lettuce straight through the winter. In central and northern areas, a well-built cold frame can allow for very early spring harvests from a winter planting.
Understanding Your Mississippi Climate Zone
Mississippi spans USDA Hardiness Zones 7b to 9a. This affects your exact timing:
- Zone 7b (North): Last spring frost around early April; first fall frost around late October.
- Zone 8a/b (Central): Last spring frost around late March; first fall frost around early November.
- Zone 9a (Coastal South): Frosts are light and rare; focus on heat avoidance.
Always use your local frost dates as a guide, not a strict rule. Weather can vary year to year.
Choosing the Right Lettuce Varieties
Some types handle Mississippi’s swings better than others. Here’s a breakdown:
Loose-Leaf Lettuce
This is the most forgiving type for beginners. You can pick individual leaves, and it matures quickly. Good choices are ‘Black Seeded Simpson’, ‘Oakleaf’, and ‘Tango’.
Romaine (Cos) Lettuce
Romaines are more heat-tolerant than some. They grow tall, crisp hearts. Try ‘Parris Island Cos’ or ‘Jericho’ for better bolt resistance.
Butterhead Lettuce
These form loose, soft heads. They are a bit more sensitive but very rewarding. ‘Buttercrunch’ and ‘Bibb’ are excellent varieties that can do well in our springs and falls.
Crisphead Lettuce
Iceberg types are the most challenging in Mississippi. They require a long, cool period to form a tight head. It’s often best to skip these unless you’re commited to precise timing and protection.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
Follow these steps for a healthy start.
1. Preparing Your Soil
Lettuce needs fertile, well-draining soil. Work in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure before planting. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. A light application of a balanced organic fertilizer at planting helps.
2. Sowing Seeds Directly
- Plant seeds only 1/4 inch deep. They need light to germinate.
- Sow thinly in rows, or broadcast in a wide bed.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.
- Once they have a few leaves, thin seedlings to the spacing on the seed packet, usually 6-12 inches apart.
3. Using Transplants
Starting seeds indoors gives you a head start, especially in spring. Harden off seedlings for a week before planting them outside. Set them at the same depth they were in their container and water them in well.
4. Ongoing Care Tips
- Watering: Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Use mulch to conserve moisture and keep leaves clean.
- Fertilizing: Side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (like fish emulsion) 3 weeks after transplanting or when plants are established.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition. Careful hand-weeding is best around shallow lettuce roots.
Managing Heat and Preventing Bolting
Bolting is when lettuce sends up a flower stalk, turning the leaves bitter. Heat and long days trigger it. To delay bolting:
- Choose bolt-resistant varieties (often labeled as “slow to bolt”).
- Use shade cloth during the hottest part of the day in late spring.
- Plant in a spot that gets afternoon shade.
- Water consistently; drought stress encourages bolting.
- Harvest leaves regularly to keep the plant in a vegetative state.
When a plant does bolt, pull it and suceed it with a warm-season crop.
Common Pests and Problems
Stay vigilant for these issues:
- Aphids: Blast them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
- Slugs and Snails: They love tender lettuce. Use beer traps or iron phosphate bait.
- Cabbage Loopers: Handpick the green caterpillars or use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
- Tip Burn: Brown edges on leaves is often a sign of inconsistent watering or calcium deficiency. Keep soil evenly moist.
Rotating where you plant lettuce each year helps prevent soil-borne diseases from building up.
Harvesting and Storing Your Lettuce
For loose-leaf types, you can start harvesting outer leaves when they are 3-4 inches long. For head lettuce, wait until the head feels firm. The best time to harvest is in the cool morning.
Wash leaves gently and dry them thoroughly. Store in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Properly stored, it should last for over a week.
FAQ: Lettuce Planting in Mississippi
Can I grow lettuce in Mississippi in the summer?
It’s very difficult without significant intervention. You would need constant shade cloth and likely need to choose very heat-tolerant varieties, like some summer crisps. Success is not guaranteed.
What is the latest I can plant lettuce in the fall?
You can plant up until about 6-8 weeks before your first hard freeze. Using a cold frame or tunnel can extend this deadline further.
Should I start lettuce seeds indoors for fall?
Yes, starting seeds indoors in late summer for fall transplanting is a smart move. It avoids the extreme heat of the soil, which can prevent germination, and gives seedlings a better start.
Why did my lettuce seeds not come up?
The most common reasons are planting too deep, soil drying out during germination, or soil temperature being to high. Lettuce seeds often go dormant in soil above 80°F.
Can I grow lettuce in containers?
Absolutely. Use a pot at least 6-8 inches deep with drainage holes. Container lettuce may need watering more frequently, sometimes daily in hot weather.
By following these optimal planting times for Mississippi and adjusting for your specific location, you can enjoy homegrown lettuce for much of the year. Paying attention to the weather and being ready to protect your plants are the final keys to a great harvest.