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Unfortunately, crisphead lettuces are heat sensitive and are difficult to successfully grow in Iowa. Planting in early spring is best, so that the heads can mature before the onset of hot weather. Seed is generally sown in rows and plants are thinned to 12-14 inches apart.
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.
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).
What vegetables can I plant now in Iowa?
Plant seedlings of warm-season annual vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. You can also plant seedlings of squashes, cucumbers, and melons now. (Plant seeds of these a little later, if you choose to go that route.
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 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.
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.
How do you grow lettuce all year round?
To harvest high-quality salad greens almost every month of the year, you need to maintain a ready supply of young transplants. The only way to do it is to sow a pinch or two of seeds every week, either indoors or out. Start seeds indoors when it’s either too cold or too hot outdoors.
What can you plant in April in Iowa?
Broccoli and cauliflower — Set out transplants in early to mid-April. Both are sensitive to hot weather so need to be encouraged to head as early as possible. Collards and kale — Seed at the same time as lettuce and other early spring crops. Direct-seed in early July for a fall crop.
When should I plant my garden in Iowa?
Planting Dates for Spring Crop Based on Frost Dates Based on Moon Dates Start Seeds Indoors Plant Seedlings or Transplants Broccoli Feb 25-Mar 11 Mar 2-11 Mar 26-Apr 16 Apr 1-16 Cabbage Feb 25-Mar 11 Mar 2-11 Mar 26-Apr 9 Apr 1- 9 Cantaloupes Mar 26-Apr 2 Apr 1- 2 May 7-21 May 7-15.
When should I plant tomatoes in Iowa?
When can I plant tomatoes in Iowa? Transplant tomatoes into the garden after the danger of frost is past. In central Iowa, May 10 is the suggested planting date. Gardeners in southern Iowa can plant one week earlier, while those in northern counties should wait an extra week.
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.
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 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.
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 May?
Lettuce can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the early spring.
How many lettuce seeds do you plant in one hole?
Indoors, plant one lettuce seed per hole if you’re using fresh ones. Otherwise, use 2-3 per hole if they are old, and then thin the seedlings later as necessary. Step 3: Plant the seeds – The best way to plant lettuce seeds is to sprinkle them over the top of the loose garden soil or indoor trays.
Do I need to cover lettuce for frost?
Lettuce is tolerant of cold temperatures for short periods of time, although growth will slow down. To protect lettuce in frost prone areas, plant romaine or butterhead lettuce, which are the most cold-tolerant. When frost is predicted, cover the garden with sheets or towels to provide some protection.
Will lettuce grow in 50 degree weather?
Considered both a spring and fall crop, lettuce thrives when temperatures are between 60 to 70 degrees F. In fact, lettuce tastes sweetest in cool weather, which is why it is such a great fall crop.
What vegetable plants can handle frost?
According to Myers, the hardiest vegetables that can withstand heavy frost of air temperatures below 28 include spinach, Walla Walla sweet onion, garlic, leeks, rhubarb, rutabaga, broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, cabbage, chicory, Brussels sprouts, corn salad, arugula, fava beans, radish, mustard, Austrian winter pea and Sep 13, 2013.
