How do I grow lettuce in my garden?

Start some lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before the last frost date in your area. Provide the seedlings with plenty of sunlight or keep them under artificial lighting until ready to move into the garden. Transplant the seedlings as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.

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Also to know is, how do I pick lettuce from my garden?

Once leaves begin to appear and they are about 4 inches long, you can begin harvesting leaf lettuce. Simply snip either single outer leaves or grab a bunch of them and cut them with shears or scissors an inch above the crown of the plant. If you cut into or below the crown, the plant will probably die, so be careful.

Beside above, does lettuce grow back every year? Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.

Besides, does lettuce grow in the ground?

Lettuce is cool-season crop that grows well in the spring and fall in most regions. Lettuce seedlings will even tolerate a light frost. Sow any time soils are above 40°F. Seeds germinate best at 55 to 65°F and will emerge in only 7 to 10 days.

Does lettuce need direct sunlight?

Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. You can grow lots of lettuce in a small space, even a container.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How fast does romaine lettuce grow?

Most lettuce varieties mature in 45 to 55 days, allowing many gardeners to plant two or even three crops. But looseleaf and butterhead leaves can be harvested at just about any time in their development. Heading varieties take longer to mature. Romaine takes 75 to 85 days and crisphead 70 to 100 days.

Why is my lettuce growing so tall?

Are your lettuce plants suddenly very tall? They may be bolting! Bolting happens when the lettuce shifts from the vegetative state (growing a leafy head) to a reproductive state (growing flower stalks to produce seed).

Is it easy to grow romaine lettuce?

Romaine can be grown in pots, started indoors from seeds, or sown directly into the garden soil outdoors in traditional or raised beds. It's recommended that the seeds be started indoors, however, as they transplant easily and will likely be healthier.

Can you regrow romaine hearts?

Step By Step Instructions for Regrowing Lettuce from a Stem. Eat your purchased lettuce, cutting the leaves at about 1 inch from the bottom. Place remaining stem in a shallow dish of water (about 1/2 inch). After 10-12 days, your lettuce is going to be as big as it will likely ever get.

Can you grow lettuce in pots?

Planting Lettuce in Container

Growing lettuce in containers requires the right type of pot and planting medium. Lettuce needs ample room for roots but you can grow several varieties in 6 to 12 inch pots. Transplants should be buried ¼ inch deeper than they would be in garden soil and set 6 to 12 inches apart.

Why is my garden lettuce bitter?

Common Causes of Bitter Lettuce

Most gardeners will tell you that bitter lettuce is the result of summer heat; lettuce is known as a cool season vegetable. When temperatures rise, the plant snaps into maturation mode and bolts — sends out a stalk and flowers. Another answer to why does lettuce turn bitter is nutrition.

How much lettuce do you get per plant?

Yield 4 to 6 pounds per 10-foot row. Space plants 2 to 4 inches apart in rows 6 to 10 inches apart. Lettuce. Grow 6 to 10 plants per person; plant succession crops with each harvest.

What does it mean when your lettuce bolts?

Vegetable gardeners often talk about their plants "bolting," which simply means that the plant sends up a flower stalk and goes to seed. Bolting is common in cool-season greens, like arugula, lettuce and spinach.

Should I let my lettuce flower?

Don't give up on your lettuce when it bolts. That said, lettuce is a cool-weather crop, and once the warm temperatures and long days of summer arrive, lettuce plants go to flower and set seed. Most gardeners rip out their lettuce plants when they bolt. If you do this, you're missing a great opportunity.

Can you eat bolted lettuce?

Bolted lettuce can still be harvested and eaten, although the leaves will taste unpalatable and bitter if they are left on the plant too long, so it is best to pick the leaves as soon as possible after bolting and remove the plant entirely once all the edible leaves are removed.

How often should Lettuce be watered?

Water the lettuce once or twice per week, or every four to five days, whenever rainfall is inadequate or the soil about an inch below the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Moisten the top 6 inches of soil with each watering session.

How tall does lettuce grow?

Lettuce Growing and Harvest Information

Temperature
Germination	40-80 F
Height	6-12"
Width	6-12"
Space between plants