Lettuce . It might not have the flashy reputation of some other veg , but do n’t let that fool you — it ’s a powerhouse of freshness . If you ’ve never grown it , conceive of it as the refreshing salad hero that does n’t need a fancy dressing to shine . Crisp , cool , and with just the right hint of bitterness , sugar is the unsung star of the garden . Plus , it’spacked with nutrient !
Lettuce is passing easy to grow , making it perfect for beginner gardeners . It prosper in the cool month , especially in spring and declivity . Plant it in early fountain or late summertime , and you ’ll have crisp , vibrant leaves ready in just a few workweek . If you ’re the impatient case ( no ignominy in that ) , some varieties , like idle - leafage lettuce , are quick to show off their harvest .
Now , before you rush to toss those seeds into a pot , hold up . Lettuce prefers a little space to stretch out , so make certain you plant it in well - drained soil with some room to breathe . It ’s also a fan of shade during the hottest part of the Clarence Day , so if you ’re growing it in the summertime , verify it come some good afternoon nerveless - down sentence .
And the just part ? you could keep it growing pretty much twelvemonth - round , as long as you ’re willing to line up your planting docket base on your clime . Lettuce is a low - maintenance companion that loves regular water and a petty love — but bank me , it ’s totally worth it . Oh , and do n’t forget — fresh lettuce in your salad is a quick , healthy profits that just feel ripe !
How to Grow Lettuce
Growing lettuce is a relatively simple and rewarding gardening task that can be done in a garden bed , container , or even indoors with the right apparatus . Below is a comprehensive scout to facilitate you plant , develop , and harvest lettuce .
Planting Lettuce
Growing Lettuce
Harvesting Lettuce
Lettuce Growing Zone
The growing geographical zone for lettuce count on the type of lettuce and the specific growing condition , but in general , lettuce can be develop in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11 .
Lettuce is a nerveless - time of year crop that flourish in temperatures between 60 ° F and 70 ° F ( 15 ° C to 21 ° C ) , making it idealistic for spring and fall planting in most regions .
Here ’s a worldwide rule of thumb :
Lettuce is sensitive to heat , so in warmer climates , it ’s often grown as a winter crop . In cooler climates , it can be grow throughout the growing time of year .
Growing Lettuce FAQ
There are several types of lettuce you’re able to grow , including leaf cabbage , romaine , butterhead ( Bibb ) , and crisphead ( like iceberg ) . Each type has its own growing requirement and time to maturity date .
Lettuce is a nerveless - weather crop , so it ’s well plant in early bounce or fall . It can be embed directly into the ground as soon as the soil can be work out in outflow , or in former summer for a fall harvest home .
look on the eccentric , lettuce can take anywhere from 30 to 70 sidereal day to strive maturity . Leaf bread kind typically mature quicker than question type .
Lettuce seeds come from the flower heads of a mature dinero plant . The flowers of the lettuce plant are unremarkably humble and chicken , and once pollinated , they modernize seeded player heads . These seed heads hold the lettuce seeds , which can be collected once the flowers have dry out out and the seeds are fully mature .
Start by cutting off the base of a lettuce head , leave behind about 1 - 2 column inch of the bow integral . position the base in a shallow dish with about half an inch of water , control the slice side is confront up , and put the smasher in a sunny patch . Change the weewee day by day , and within a few days , you ’ll note roots forming at the bottom and new leaf bourgeon from the top .
Yes , gelt can technically be fixed , but it ’s not idealistic for fresh salad due to its high water supply content , which causes it to become sentimental and lose its nappy texture when thaw .
initiate by selecting a lettuce drumhead and cut off the base , leave alone about an inch of the stem turn inviolate . target the cut end in a shallow dish of water , see that only the al-Qaeda is submerged . Position the dishful in a sunny spot . alter the water every couple of days . Within a week , you ’ll begin to see Modern farewell sprout from the center .
gelt and cabbage look similar but they are decided veg with different characteristic . Lettuce is typically used in salads , known for its piano , tender leaves and balmy flavor . On the other hired hand , kale has a denser , more compact mind with wooden-headed and tougher leaves .
Yes , wampum can be grow indoors in containers or hydroponically . Make certain it receives pot of light , either from a sunny window or grow lights , and maintain consistent moisture .
Leaf lettuce can be harvested when the leaves are enceinte enough to eat , typically around 4 - 6 inch grandiloquent . For head simoleons , wait until the heads are firm and full formed .
Once lettuce bolt , the folio become bitter and baffling . It ’s skillful to take out bolted plants and replant in coolheaded weather or provide shade to prevent future bolting .
