Table of Contents
Lettuce is generally considered a cool weather plant, grown in early spring or fall, although it can be grown in the warm season in most of the SF Bay Area by choosing varieties adapted to warmer weather.
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 grow lettuce in the winter in California?
In climates such as the author’s, in northern California, lettuce seedlings can be planted throughout the winter, providing a staggered harvest. Since most vegetables come in many varieties, with different maturation rates, you can plant your winter garden all at once and still be able to harvest over several months.
Can you grow lettuce in California?
Answer: Lettuce is a cool-season crop, which means that it thrives in cool weather and can even take a light frost but not hard freezes. Just be sure to grow it in fertile soil and keep the beds well irrigated during dry weather. We recommend drip irrigation for dry California climates.
How early can you plant lettuce 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.
When can I put 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.
How do I keep lettuce fresh all year?
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.
How do you grow lettuce in San Diego?
Plant lettuce seed ¼ inch deep or place 2 or 3 seeds in each cell of a multi-celled tray and lightly sift compost to cover. Water with a fine mister. Daily watering is necessary in early fall. After plants are up, water on a regular basis.
How long do lettuce roots grow?
While the taproot wends its way downward, the horizontal roots branch out from the taproot. Lettuce planted in compacted soil can expect a root structure to reach roughly 6 inches, while lettuce grown in loose soil can produce roots up to 21 inches, according to experiments done by the Soil and Health organization.
When should I plant my vegetable garden in Southern California?
As long as you are past your last frost (or live in an area with no frost), you can start planting in the ground in February. You can either plant the seedlings you started indoors in January, plant seeds in the ground, or transplant vegetable plants you find at a local nursery or purchase online.
When should I start a garden in southern California?
April is a good time to look at starting summer crops from seed instead, like summer squash, sunflowers, basil, peppers, tomatoes, and beans. Vegetables such as lettuce and peas are better sown in fall for winter harvest.
Can you grow lettuce year round in California?
Lettuce is generally considered a cool weather plant, grown in early spring or fall, although it can be grown in the warm season in most of the SF Bay Area by choosing varieties adapted to warmer weather.
What time of year is lettuce grown?
Lettuce is traditionally a cool season veggie (a bit like coriander), which means they prefer to be planted in cooler weather. However modern plant breeding means there are now lettuces available acrossAustraliathat are suitable for planting all year long.
Where in California does lettuce grow?
The major production areas for leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in California are the Central Coast (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo Counties), the southern coast (Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties), the Central Valley (Fresno, Kings, and Kern Counties), and the southern deserts (.
Why is lettuce grown in California?
Lettuce is produced year-round in California, but this crop does demand good weather. Ideal conditions for leafy green crops are high temperatures in the 60s or 70s and lows in the 40s. Because of this, the Central Coast is a huge growing region that produces lettuce between the months of April and November.
Can you plant lettuce in May?
Lettuce can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the early spring.
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.
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.
