Lettuce is a rewarding and easygoing - to - develop veg . Planting your seeds both in the leaping and fall will give heavy results . Add intelligent compost , keep the soil moist and protect them from the harsh summer heat for vibrant plant .
How To Select a Site
dinero plants thrive in full sun and fond shade . springtime crops last longer into the season if protect from the summer heating system by afternoon shade . Soil should be well - draining but also hold some moisture . take planting nearby acompanionlike tomatoes , marigold , or Brassica oleracea italica . Not only will the taller plants shadow them as the season warms , they will also help keep pestilence from accessing your industrial plant .
How To Prepare Ground
Prepare outside bed 2 - 3 calendar week before your last icing or as the soil temperature warms to around 45 ° F ( 7.2 ° coke ) . A lite frost or even a blow wo n’t suffer your seed . sugar seminal fluid is little and spud skilful in easy , well - act upon ground . While working the soil , add nitrogen - plenteous amendment like compost or dirt ball castings to feed the plant as it turn .
Gardeners hop to get a jump-start on the season can institute indoors or in a greenhouse . Prepare container with sifted potting grime and compost . Plant indoor wampum seeds 4 - 6 weeks before your last frost .
Planting Seed
What You ’ll postulate :
Lettuce seeded player are modest , it is far easier to sprinkle the seeds rather than plant one at a time . If you hope row , rake unbowed lines with a spade that will act as a guide and sprinkle seed along them . Another option is to broadcast the seminal fluid across an area or planting bed . encompass the come with ¼ inch of compost , worm casting , or garden soil and water thoroughly .
How To Tend Lettuce Plants
idle leaf diversity expand when packed tightly together , but some heading lettuces like romaine will grow larger when thinned . When your seedlings are 1 to 2 column inch tall , lose weight them to encourage expectant heads . Space looser lead form like Butterhead 8 inches apart . sparse tightly heading lettuce to 13 inches aside .
Water 2 to 3 clip a week increasing to twice a day during blistering and ironical spell . If the stain feel ironic to the touch , give the plants more water .
Harvesting
Most lettuces senesce in 45 - 55 days , but some heading variety like romaine can take up to 100 days . Loose leaf varieties are picked throughout the time of year , starting with the low leaves and working your way up the plant . Heading types are quick when they find unshakable . Cut them at the Qaeda below the leaf to avoid former decay .
