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When to Plant Lettuce Sow 2 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Soil temperatures need to reach 40°F (4°C), though seeds germinate best at 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C). Seedlings will typically emerge in 7 to 10 days.
Why are my lettuce seeds not germinating?
Lettuce Seeds Germination Time If the soil is too warm, dry, or wet, or if there’s no light, it will inhibit germination. So, if your lettuce seeds aren’t growing, then check the temperature, light, and moisture levels.
How long does it take lettuce to grow from seed?
Common Questions About Growing Lettuce Lettuce grows fairly quickly. Leaf varieties reach maturity in 30 days but can be harvested as soon as they reach the desired size. Other types of lettuce require 6 to 8 weeks to reach full harvest size.
How long does it take for leaf lettuce to germinate?
Expect germination to occur within 7 to 10 days. Since lettuce seeds are so small, it will be a challenge not to sow too many. Once seedlings are a couple of inches tall, thin them to about 4 to 8 inches apart, depending on the variety. A couple of weeks later, direct sow another batch.
Should you cover lettuce seeds?
Direct sowing lettuce seeds Don’t sow the seeds too deeply as they need light to germinate. Cover them with a thin layer of soil. Once the seedlings are growing well, thin to ten to twelve inches.
What do I do if my seeds don’t germinate?
If your seeds don’t germinate, simple measures for what to do include making sure to mist your soil instead of pouring water, planting seeds at the recommended depth, controlling pests and fungus, using sterile organic garden soil or growing medium, and avoid using old seeds.
At what temperature do lettuce seeds germinate?
Lettuce seed will germinate at 35°F, but optimum germination is 70 to 75°F. If the plants are sufficiently hardened, they will withstand freezing. Repeated exposure to subfreezing temperatures, however, can seriously injure or kill the crop. Lettuce has a relatively high water requirement.
Does lettuce need sunlight to germinate?
Lettuce seeds must be exposed to light to grow into seedlings. You can sprinkle them on soil or vermiculite and then cover them with a thin layer of soil or vermiculite. Carrots: much like lettuce, to get carrot seeds to germinate, expose them to light by sprinkling them on the surface of the soil.
How often do you water lettuce seedlings?
Grow. Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
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.
Should I wet soil before planting seeds?
For seeds to germinate, you need to keep the growing soil damp but not too wet. Many seed starters cover the container to keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Once seeds sprout, do not miss a watering.
How do you germinate lettuce seeds?
Lettuce seeds are tiny, and they require light to germinate, so cover the seeds lightly never more than 1/4 inches with potting medium. Then spray with water until thoroughly moist and mist every morning to keep the medium moist at all times. Seeds will germinate in 7 to 10 days, depending on the type.
What seeds sprout the fastest?
Which Seeds Will Germinate the Fastest for a Science Fair Project Radishes Are Super Fast. To begin germinating, a seed needs to absorb a large amount of water through its outer coat. Melons Pop Up Quickly. Squash or Pumpkins. Beans and Peas. Flowers Also Work. Speeding Germination.
How long do lettuce leaves take to grow?
Cover with a very thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Thin seedlings out when they’re big enough to handle and keep the compost moist. protect from slugs and snails. You can pick loose-leaf lettuce varieties from six weeks, at 10 weeks for hearting types.
How do you germinate lettuce seeds in summer?
Sow the seeds 1/4-inch deep and 6 inches apart in rows set 12 inches apart. Mist the soil daily with water so it remains moist. Lettuce seeds should germinate within one week at temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and most lettuce will sprout eventually if the temperatures don’t exceed 95 degrees.
Do you thin lettuce seedlings?
You should only have to thin your seedlings once, but if you have a lot of extra plants growing you can split it into two occasions. For example, if your plants need to be 12 inches apart, the first time you can thin every 6 inches. Then a week later you can thin them out again to all be 12 inches apart.
When can I put lettuce seedlings 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.
