Lettuce is a leafy crispy green vegetable that is used in salads and sandwiches. There are a variety of lettuce to grow. They come in many size and colors. from very tender to crispy.
Growing lettuce from seed is an easy and rewarding process. It can be done in mainly the ground once the temperature is above 60 degrees or in containers, boxes. It is a similar process.
Start by picking a sunny area. Sow the seeds in a well-draining, loose soil mix with a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5, the plants will easily absorb necessary nutrients. Place the lettuce seeds on top of the container or the ground because they are tiny and require light to break dormancy, plant them ΒΌ of an inch deep.
Water the soil. keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. The seeds will germinate a week later. Once the plant start growing continue to water it. The plant will grow up to 12 inches.
Depending on whether you are growing loose-leaf varieties or full heads, you can expect a rapid timeline from seeding to harvesting just 30 to 45 days, while heading varieties (like Romaine or Crisphead) mature fully in about 60 to 70 days.
Water your plants lightly every morning to keep the soil damp but not soggy. Lettuce has incredibly shallow roots, it requires consistent moisture, also apply a thin layer of organic mulch to keep the roots cool.
How to harvest: These need time to form a compact, firm center. Once the head feels solid when gently squeezed, use a sharp knife to cut the entire head off right at the soil surface. Cut the leaves by snipping the outer leaves about an inch above the soil line, leaving the center crown to regrow.
