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The crop can be transplanted or direct seeded in late January and early February in eastern North Carolina and during late March or early April in the west. The fall crop should be seeded about 80 days before the expected first hard freeze (August 15 to September 1 in the east and July 25 to August 15 in the west).
What month do you plant lettuce?
Begin planting fall lettuce in late summer so it reaches maturity when the fall air is cool. Head lettuce is usually started indoors or in a cold frame and transplanted in the spring after the last frost date.
How do you grow lettuce in NC?
Regardless of row width, space head lettuce 12 inches apart. Grow leaf and butterhead lettuce in double rows 12 inches apart with plants spaces at 8 to 10 inches in the row. Set both leaf and head lettuce seed at a depth of 1/4 inch. About 1/4 packet of lettuce seed will supply enough lettuce for one person.
What can I plant now in NC?
They are cold-hardy and thrive in spring and fall when temperatures are below 70°F: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnips. Warm-season annuals.
What temperature is too hot for lettuce?
Lettuce grows best in a temperature range of about 45 to 75 degrees. In weather hotter than this, the leaves begin to get bitter to the taste. When leaf lettuce bolts—begins to send up its flower shoots—it’s a signal that the production of edible lettuce is done for the season.
How early can you plant lettuce outside?
You can start sowing lettuce for growing outside about 7-8 weeks before the last frost date. Lettuce is frost-resistant, but even so, you don’t want to hurry and move it outside too soon. Temperature is what dictates lettuce’s rate of growth, so if it’s really cold, it won’t grow much no matter how eager you are.
When can I put lettuce outside?
In the spring, begin setting out lettuce plants about a month before the last frost. Lettuce grows best within a temperature range from 45 to about 80 degrees. Hot weather makes it bitter; extreme cold freezes it. When well rooted, some Bibb types such as Buttercrunch will tolerate a surprising amount of frost.
How cold is too cold for lettuce?
How to Grow: Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that thrives in the temperature range 60-65 degrees F, and if thoroughly hardened, most varieties survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. Cold-adapted varieties survive much lower temperatures. Seed germinates best at about 75 degrees F.
What is the easiest lettuce to grow?
Loose leaf lettuce, which refers to varieties that don’t form any type of head, is considered the easiest to grow. It matures in 40-45 days, but no need to wait that long to enjoy it!Jun 29, 2018.
When should I start my garden in NC?
When to Plant Vegetables in Raleigh, NC Crop Sow seeds indoors Transplant seedlings into the garden Kale Jan 25 – Feb 8 Mar 7 – Mar 21 Kohlrabi Jan 25 – Feb 8 Mar 7 – Mar 21 Lettuce Jan 25 – Feb 8 Feb 22 – Mar 21 Mustard Jan 25 – Feb 8 Mar 7 – Mar 21.
When should I start planting in spring?
The Best Time to Plant Your Garden For most of the United States, the best time to start spring crops is, well, now. But to get more exact planting recommendations based on your area, use this handy calendar. (As a general rule, you should plant hardy greens and cole crops a few weeks before your final frost.)Feb 1, 2017.
What planting zone is North Carolina?
North Carolina averages plant hardiness zone of 8a (with average winter temps from 10° F to 15° F) to a zone of 6a (with temps of -10° to -5°). Let’s look at the Triangle area a little more closely. The average extreme minimum winter temperature of the Triangle area is 5° to 10°, which is Zone 7b.
Can I grow lettuce in the shade?
arugula, endive, lettuce, sorrel, spinach Salad greens generally do well in cooler weather and they welcome some shade! It can be tricky to grow them during the hottest part of the summer because these veggies go to seed (also known as bolting) more quickly with too much heat or sun.
Can you plant lettuce all summer?
Grow Your Lettuce Longer in Warm Weather. You can grow lettuce throughout the summer without bolting with a little knowledge and a tiny bit of preparation. Imagine serving your own fresh-harvested, garden-grown lettuce throughout the summer!Jun 6, 2017.
Can you grow lettuce in the shade in summer?
Lettuce is a cold-hardy crop that loves temperatures on the cooler side and can tolerate shade. In early spring, lettuce grows faster if planted in full sun, but if the weather gets too hot, it will go to seed. Partial shade will keep lettuce from bolting too soon during the summer months.
When can I transplant lettuce seedlings?
Lettuce should be transplanted when the plants are between 2-3 inches tall. You should harden off your lettuce plants 7-10 days before transplanting. Bring them outdoors for a few hours, increasing the length of time each day. Prepare your bed by loosening the soil and adding compost if available.
How long does it take for lettuce to germinate?
Cover with only a fine layer of compost, as lettuce seeds need light to germinate. They should begin to germinate after about 7 days. Once they are big enough to handle, thin the seedlings out to allow 10-20cm between plants and mulch around them with well-rotted compost to lock in moisture and keep them healthy.
What is the fastest growing vegetable?
1. Radishes. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time.