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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.
When should I plant lettuce?
Lettuce is a cool weather crop and is best grown in spring and fall. 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.
What month do you plant lettuce seeds?
So, the best time to plant lettuce seeds is as soon as the ground is workable in very early spring, or once the temps start to cool down in late summer or early fall.
How late in the season can you plant lettuce?
The lettuce growing season begins in early spring and extends through fall for northern U.S. climates. In warmer areas, such as southern Florida, lettuce can also be grown outdoors throughout the winter.
Can you plant lettuce anytime?
Lettuces are a cold-season crop, which means they fare best in cooler, more temperate conditions. Get on and sow them nice and early—starting two weeks before your last spring frost. You can keep planting until the weather gets hot, and then start again towards fall (planting 6 to 8 weeks before first fall frost).
Can I plant lettuce in May?
Lettuce can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the early spring.
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 summer?
Lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa cultivars) traditionally favour cooler climates, having a tendency to bolt in the heat. However, there are a number of heat tolerant varieties available, and these are perfect for growing in summer – simply add plenty of water and a bit of shade.
What is the best temperature to grow lettuce?
Lettuce is adapted to cool growing conditions with the optimum temperatures for growth of 60 to 65°F. At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool.
Can you plant lettuce in June?
Summer varieties of lettuce will do great in July and August and seeds can be planted directly in the garden. Just be sure to keep the seeds moist till they germinate and get established. Most summer lettuce varieties resist bolting and tip burn.
Does lettuce need lots of water?
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 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’.
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.
What temperature 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.
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 lettuce can you plant in summer?
Heat-tolerant lettuces: ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ (Leaf Lettuce) ‘Great Lakes 118’ (Crisphead) ‘Ice Queen (Reine des Glaces)’ (Summer Crisp) ‘Little Gem’ (Romaine) ‘Marvel of Four Season’ (Butterhead) ‘New Red Fire’ (Leaf Lettuce) ‘Parris Island’ Cos (Romaine) ‘Red Sails (Leaf Lettuce).
What is the best tasting lettuce?
With a long, upright head of crisp, pale green leaves sporting crunchy midribs, romaine—particularly the lighter leaves toward the center (the heart)—is more flavorful than some other varieties. You can often find romaine hearts packaged in your local grocery store.
Which lettuce grows fastest?
Oakleaf and butter lettuce are quick growing varieties of lettuce that mature in 45 to 55 days. [ Some of the quickest growing microgreens are broccoli , radish and cress . You could also use a self-watering microgreens kit to make it easier.
What is the hardiest lettuce to grow?
Other particularly cold-hardy lettuce varieties include Brune d’Hiver, Cocarde, Esmeralda (a bibb), Lollo Rossa, North Pole (bibb), Outredgeous, Rossimo, Sunfire and Vulcan.
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.
When can lettuce be transplanted outside?
You should transplant lettuce outside after it has grown undercover for 4-6 weeks, and reached the height of 2-3 inches. The earliest time to do this is 3-4 weeks before the last frost, but you can transplant lettuce any time after that. Allow for 7-10 days of hardening off before moving outside.
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.
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.
