Lettuce

Lettuce Seed Starting

Lettuce is easily started in seed-starting trays or small pots. Lettuce started indoors can be set into the garden when plants have about four leaves, usually in three to four weeks from sowing.

Set lettuce in the garden 12 inches (30cm) apart if you are planting for full heads and closer if you are going to pick loose leaves, cut-and-come again.

Sow lettuce directly into the garden when the soil temperature is at least 40°F (4°C) and not overly wet. Lettuce germinates in two to ten days depending upon soil temperature. In warm summer regions grow lettuce in spring and fall. When the temperature rises above 70°F (21°C) lettuce will germinate erratically.

Grow lettuce in soil rich in organic matter to help retain moisture. A high-nitrogen fertilizer such as blood meal will help plants grow and develop.

Lettuce is an excellent succession crops, sow new batches of plants every 20 to 30 days for a continuous supply. Where the weather stays cool year-round, lettuce can be grown almost all year with the help of plastic tunnels.


Link Winter Lettuce