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How to Grow Lettuce- From Seed to Harvest

Learn how to grow lettuce- from seed to harvest, with this quick tutorial. Lettuce is an easy to grow cool season crop, which will grow well in the spring & fall in most regions. Early season lettuce can be started from seed indoors 4 weeks before desired transplant date. and later in the season (after soil temps have warmed over 40F) lettuce can be direct sown. Remember that properly acclimated seedlings will tolerate temperature dips as low as 20F, but lettuce prefers temps of around 60-65F. Temperatures consistently above 70-80 will cause lettuce to become bitter & bolt. Lettuce will grow best in full sun, but tolerates some shade, particularly in warmer climates. To start lettuce indoors, sow seed 1/8” deep in seed starting media and lightly cover with soil. Moisten media and keep evenly moist as seedlings are growing. Seeds should germinate in 2-3 days at temps of around 70F. Begin fertilizing seedlings once they are an inch tall. Seedlings can be transplanted in about 4 weeks, or after they have at least 4-6 sets of leaves. Harden off your seedlings before transplanting- hardening off is a process of slowly acclimating tender seedlings to outdoor conditions. Bring seedling flats outdoors and place in a protected spot, gradually increasing the time seedlings spend outdoors over the course of several days to a week. When transplanting seedlings, space them 4-12” apart depending on the variety you are growing. Looseleaf types may be planted more closely together, while crisphead types need more space. To direct sow lettuce outdoors, sow seed 1/8- to ¼” deep. Space seed 1-2” apart and lightly cover with soil. Keep soil consistently moist until seed has germinated. When seedlings have 2-4 true leaves thin to 4-12” apart depending on the variety you are growing. Lettuce can also be broadcast sown in patches and thinned. This works particularly well for loose-leaf or ‘cut and come again’ types. Lettuce is tolerant to a wide range of soil types but grows best in cool, loose soil with good drainage. Maintain consistent moisture as plants grow, and mulch plants to help retain moisture and keep the soil cool. Lettuce can be fertilized at the time of transplant, or after seedlings have emerged and are several inches tall, with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Harvest time will depend on the variety of lettuce you’ve planted. Looseleaf varieties, also known as cut-and-come-again types can be harvested as soon as 4 weeks after planting. Simply trim leaves as needed, an inch or so above the soil surface. Full maturity is typically 45-60 days. Butterhead types are typically mature between 55- 75 days and harvested when the head is full. Romaine types are also harvested when the head is full, about 70 days after planting. Crisphead types (like Iceburg) mature in 75 or more days and are harvested when the head is firm to the touch. Harvest heading types by cutting off the head about an inch above the soil surface. #growlettuce #zone6gardening #ohiogardening