Planting and Growing Guide for Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Description

Lettuce is cool-season crop that grows best in the spring and autumn (fall) in most regions. Lettuce seedlings will tolerate a light frosts, but they will grow very slowly outdoors in cold weather. Your first harvest will be sooner if the lettuce and sow in seed trays and kept indoors, planting out after 4-6 weeks or growth, just after the last frost. Plant in batches every two weeks to ensure a steady supply over a long growing season.

Lettuce comes in a huge a range of sizes, shapes and colours, all of which are easy to grow. The main variants are: Leaf lettuce, Cos and Loose-headed types and Firm-headed types. Choose a variety that does best in your climate and many varieties do poor in hot weather. Best grown in areas of partial shade as they tend to bolt to flower in hot weather and will stop producing leaves. Sow closely in rows and use the plants you thin out as leafy greens in salads. Lettuce have shallow roots and so need a heavy covering of mulch to retain moisture and to control weeds. Lettuce needs watering daily in hot weather, and during the summer months.

Lettuce is the classic base for most salads, but can be used as a leafy green for many Asian dishes. There is nothing like fresh lettuce picked straight from the garden. The firm headed lettuce can be a challenge and so grown several varieties for different uses.

Planting Guide

Seed Depth: Sow about 5 mm (1/4 inches) deep in seed trays or directly into the soil after the last frost. Plant out after 4-6 weeks

Space between plants: Space plants about 20-25 cm (9-12 inches) apart. Small plants can be harvested early when thinning. Space rows 30-40 cm (12-15 inches) apart

Harvest Time: Harvest in about 6-12 weeks

Hints:

Grows well in full sun. Partial shade may prevent bolting in hot weather.
Does best in rich, well-drained soils with a covering of mulch to inhibit weeds and to keep the soil moist. A soft, well composted soil is better than pure and or heavy clay soils
Water regularly and evenly, especially in summer
Plant in batches after the last frost, every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.
Feed regularly and keep the plants growing strongly to produce a good harvest of tender lively plants
They prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soils (pH 6.5 to 7.5)
Plant rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce rows to control aphids.
The main pests of lettuces are slugs and snails and aphids which attack the seedlings

Learn how to grow Lettuce in your own garden and when to plant it in your Climate Zone.
See the planting and growing guide to get started. — Learn how to grow Lettuce in your own garden and when to plant it in your Climate Zone. See the planting and growing guide to get started. Source: Public Domain

Disclaimer: The PlantWhatWhen vegetable planting guide is only designed for use as a very general reference for home gardening purposes. It is not to be used for farming, markets or commercial activities of any kind whatsoever. We take absolutely no responsibility for the accuracy and adequacy of the information provided on this site. We recommend that you consider your local climate, weather patterns and conditions when deciding what and when to plant in your home garden. It's entirely your own decision. Happy Gardening and Best Wishes!

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