Table of Contents
Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days.
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
The best way to try to speed up lettuce germination is to soak the seeds for 12-24 hours before planting them. Also, give them plenty of light right from the start.
Can you germinate lettuce seeds in paper towel?
Gardeners sometimes germinate seeds, such as lettuce seeds, indoors using a paper towel. It is also a cheaper alternative to germinating seeds in seed trays, especially when temperatures are too warm or cold outside to sow seeds directly in the garden. Expect lettuce seeds to take about seven to 10 days to germinate.
How do you successfully germinate lettuce?
Growing a lettuce garden The seeds germinate in temperatures as low as 40 F (4 C) but its ideal germination and growing temperature is between 60 and 65 F (16 to 18 C). To grow great lettuce, find a site that offers at least six to eight hours of direct sun.
Does lettuce seeds need light to germinate?
Seeds need light to germinate, so do not plant too deep. Make succession plantings every week or two. Grow several varieties with different maturity dates for a continuous supply. Lettuce has a shallow root system.
How long does lettuce take to germinate?
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.
How do you germinate lettuce seeds indoors?
Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days.
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.
Can you presoak lettuce seeds?
Another technique that has shown to be successful is to soak the seeds in cool water in a well-lit area for 16–24 hours. This approach has increased the germination rate up to 97% when planted in warmer conditions. Soaking for less than 16 hours has little to no positive effect on germination.
How do you start wild lettuce seeds?
Sow in spring or fall, in pots outdoors or directly in beds outdoors. Barely cover seed with soil and tamp securely, then keep cool and evenly moist until germination, which takes 10 to 20 days. Very warm soil temperatures retard or disallow germination.
Do I need to 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.
Does lettuce need full sun?
The ideal lettuce growing location for spring and fall is in a spot that receives full sun. If you plan on growing lettuce during the summer or in warm planting zones, partial shade can provide protection from the heat.
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.
Why do seeds germinate faster in the dark?
Most seeds germinate underground, so their first stages of growth are naturally in the dark. Seedlings can grow for a certain time in the dark as they have a limited chemical energy store in their cells. Once these energy stores run out, they need light exposure to produce their energy using photosynthesis.
How often do you water lettuce seeds?
ANSWER: Lettuce should be watered not daily but instead about twice a week, or once every four or five days, for most of its growing period. It will need to be watered lightly but more frequently for the first two weeks after planting, perhaps daily, depending on your climate.
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.
What temp kills lettuce?
Colder temperatures (26-31 degrees F.) may burn foliage but will not kill broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, and turnip. The real cold weather champs are beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.
