To grow lettuce successfully, follow these key steps:
- Lettuce grows best in cool weather, ideally during early spring or fall, with soil temperatures between 40-75°F (4-24°C). It prefers full sun or partial shade during hot weather to avoid bolting (going to seed).
- Plant lettuce seeds directly in well-prepared soil with organic matter or start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting. Sow seeds shallowly on the soil surface as they need light to germinate, keeping them moist.
- Space seedlings 6 to 18 inches apart depending on variety, thinning them as they grow to ensure room for mature heads or leaves.
- Water consistently to maintain moist soil but avoid waterlogging. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- For a continuous harvest, practice succession planting by sowing seeds every 1-2 weeks.
- Lettuce can also be grown in containers with good drainage and suitable soil mix.
Harvest can be done by picking outer leaves continuously or cutting whole heads. Shade in summer and protection from pests will improve growth. These steps cover basic planting, growing, and harvesting tips for lettuce in gardens or containers.
