Growing Lettuce - Benefits and Instructions

Benefits of Growing Lettuces

  • Quick To Mature - Lettuce grows very fast, many leaf varieties can mature in as little as 30 days.
  • Bountiful Harvest - If planted in succession, you can have a continuous supply all season! Also many varieties are cut and come again, meaning you can harvest just the outer leaves and more will produce,
  • Nutritional Profile -  Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin K and A
  • Use in: Fresh salads, juicing, lettuce wraps, grilled and smoothies

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Growing Instructions

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Choose an area with full sun to partial shade.
Soil: A soil pH of 6.2-6.8 is optimal. Lettuce is a heavy feeder and prefers a rich, well cultivated soil with good drainage. Some success can be expected even in poor soils using the loose-leaf types. Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure prior to planting. Benefits from regular feedings with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Mulching is useful to keep soil cool and reduce weeds.
Moisture: Water lightly and frequently,  keeping soil constantly moist to prevent bolting.
Planting:  Plant every two weeks, starting as early as soil can be worked. 

Make succession plantings every 1-2 weeks to ensure a constant harvest.

Spacing:Leaf types - 6 inches apart with 12 inches rows; Iceberg - 12 inches apart with 18 inches row spacing; Romaine - 8-10 inches apart with 12-16 inches rows and Butterhead/Batavia - 10-12 inches apart with 12 inches row spacing  Square foot spacing: 6 Leaf type, 3 Bibb type, 2 Head type per square foot.

Sow seeds: Sow thinly 1⁄4 inches deep and 1 inch apart

 

Harvesting:

Harvest lettuce early in the morning. Looseleaf types can be picked as soon as leaves are large enough to eat. Harvest head types when they are firm and well wrapped. If your lettuce becomes bitter during warm weather, wash and place in the fridge for a couple of days before eating.

Storage/Preparation:

Remove any damaged or wilted leaves, wash and dry leaves thoroughly. Wrap leaves in dry kitchen towels or paper towel, and place in zip style bag or similar container. Do not over pack containers, some airflow will keep greens lasting longer.

Companions:

Most vegetables, carrot, garlic, onion and radish.

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