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When sowing seeds directly into the soil, you should plant approximately 10 seeds per foot. Space your rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Thin leaf lettuce seedlings to 4 inches apart. Romaine and butterhead lettuce seedlings require 6 to 8 inches between each plant.
Can lettuce be grown outside?
Grow lettuces in full sun in moisture-retentive soil. Early and late sowings may need protection against cold, using cloches, plastic tunnels or horticultural fleece. For summer/autumn cropping: sow outdoors from late March to late July.
When should I plant 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.
Is it better to grow lettuce indoors or outdoors?
Grow a salad on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights However, salad lovers can grow lettuce indoors, all winter long. Depending upon available sunlight, even urban gardeners can raise a steady supply of your favorite greens on a windowsill or beneath grow lights.
How do you keep lettuce growing in the summer?
Try these four steps to get them going: Find a somewhat shady spot in your garden, and give it a deep soaking of water. Periodically lift the board and re-soak the soil for another two to three days. Now, plant your lettuce seeds in the prepared area, and water them well.
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.
Will lettuce grow back after cutting?
Yes, lettuce leaves will grow back after cutting but only if proper care and technique are used when cutting as all vegetable lettuce follow similar annual vegetable growth cycles.
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.
Can you grow lettuce in a container?
Growing lettuce in containers requires the right type of pot and planting medium. Lettuce needs ample room for roots but you can grow several varieties in 6 to 12 inch (15-30.5 cm.) pots. The greens need a consistent supply of moisture as they are almost 95 percent water but cannot tolerate wet roots.
How often should lettuce be watered?
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.
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 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.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in June?
You can start replanting lettuce about 6 to 8 weeks before your first frost (for us that’s August 1 – 15). Fall planted lettuce can last unprotected in your garden until early December depending on where you live. Again you will be planting these INDOORS in your seed starter in June and moving them outside in August.
What does it mean when your lettuce bolts?
Ah lettuce; the most popular of the salad greens, offering a long season of sweet, crispy leaves. Bolting, when the plants shift from leafy growth into flower production, is caused by a number of factors including high temperatures, long daylight hours, and less moisture – in essence – summer.
How long does lettuce last in the garden?
By using this method for harvesting lettuce and by planting successive crops, you can have fresh salad green for most of the year. Lettuce can be stored for 1-2 weeks if refrigerated.
How do you take care of a potted lettuce?
8 Helpful Tips for Growing Lettuce in Pots Pick a Cool but Sunny Location. Find a Pot that Maximizes Surface Area. Start with the Right Soil. Choose the Right Varieties. Sow Your Seeds in Cool Weather. Water Consistently. Harvest and Harvest Again. Keep an Eye on the Temperature.
How do you take care of lettuce?
How to Care for Lettuce Fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting. Make sure the soil remains moist but not overly wet. Lettuce will tell you when it needs water. An organic mulch will help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures cool throughout the warmer months.
Can you grow lettuce in a greenhouse in summer?
Did you know? Lettuce can be sown as late as October under cloches and in polytunnels or greenhouses but choose the hardier varieties such as ‘All the Year Round’.
How do you know when lettuce is ready to pick?
As your plants grow, look for signs of maturity, usually that the head feels firm and filled out. In spring, harvest before the weather becomes too hot, usually when temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Warm temperatures can make the lettuce head mushy and the leaves taste bitter.
How do you stop lettuce from going to seed?
Grow the likes of lettuce and spinach in the shadow of taller plants such as climbing beans or corn. Shade cloth can also be deployed and makes a dramatic difference to plants that would otherwise wither and collapse in full view of the sun.
