Difference between revisions of "Plant Lettuce"
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#*You can cover the seed trays with a few layers of newspaper for the first week or so, until the seeds sprout. Keep the newspaper moist with water at all times, and remove the newspaper when you see green shoots coming up. | #*You can cover the seed trays with a few layers of newspaper for the first week or so, until the seeds sprout. Keep the newspaper moist with water at all times, and remove the newspaper when you see green shoots coming up. | ||
#*Don't overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they may not be able to grow. | #*Don't overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they may not be able to grow. | ||
| − | #Transplant into the garden. The earliest you can transplant your seedlings is two weeks before the last spring frost date. Dig holes in rows {{convert|16|in|cm|1}} apart, just deep enough to plant the root balls underground. Lift the lettuce seedlings from the seed tray and place them into the holes. Gently pat soil around the roots so that the seedlings stay upright, planted to the same depth they were in the trays. Water the seedlings thoroughly.<ref>http://www.almanac.com/plant/lettuce</ref> | + | #Transplant into the garden. The earliest you can transplant your seedlings is two weeks before the last spring frost date. Dig holes in rows {{convert|16|in|cm|1}} apart, just deep enough to plant the root balls underground. Lift the lettuce seedlings from the seed tray and place them into the holes. Gently pat soil around the roots so that the seedlings stay upright, planted to the same depth they were in the trays. Water the seedlings thoroughly.<ref name="rf1">http://www.almanac.com/plant/lettuce</ref> |
| − | #*For best results, "harden off" the seedlings first by placing the tray in a sheltered outdoor area part of the time. Do this for two or three days, increasing the amount of outdoor time each day.<ref>http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-lettuce-zmaz08amzmcc</ref> | + | #*For best results, "harden off" the seedlings first by placing the tray in a sheltered outdoor area part of the time. Do this for two or three days, increasing the amount of outdoor time each day.<ref name="rf2">http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/growing-lettuce-zmaz08amzmcc</ref> |
#*You can continue to grow indoor seedlings and transplant them outside throughout the growing season. Select heat-resistant varieties for summer transplanting. | #*You can continue to grow indoor seedlings and transplant them outside throughout the growing season. Select heat-resistant varieties for summer transplanting. | ||
#*Use a watering can or a hose with a diffuser spray nozzle to water the lettuce garden. Don't completely drown the seedlings in water; just make sure the soil is damp. | #*Use a watering can or a hose with a diffuser spray nozzle to water the lettuce garden. Don't completely drown the seedlings in water; just make sure the soil is damp. | ||
| − | #Fertilize the lettuce three weeks after transplanting. Use alfalfa meal or slow release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. This will keep the lettuce growing fast and strong.<ref>http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/lettuce-growing-guide?page=0,1</ref> | + | #Fertilize the lettuce three weeks after transplanting. Use alfalfa meal or slow release fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. This will keep the lettuce growing fast and strong.<ref name="rf3">http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/lettuce-growing-guide?page=0,1</ref> |
#Cut mature leaves. When the leaves look mature enough to eat, resembling lettuce leaves you'd buy in the grocery store, cut them with a harvest knife or scissors. After a few weeks, when the plant is mature, you'll want to cut the whole plant from the ground. If you leave it in, the lettuce will eventually go bad. | #Cut mature leaves. When the leaves look mature enough to eat, resembling lettuce leaves you'd buy in the grocery store, cut them with a harvest knife or scissors. After a few weeks, when the plant is mature, you'll want to cut the whole plant from the ground. If you leave it in, the lettuce will eventually go bad. | ||
#*Harvest leaves in the morning. They acquire a crispness overnight, and they'll retain it if you harvest early. | #*Harvest leaves in the morning. They acquire a crispness overnight, and they'll retain it if you harvest early. | ||
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===Growing Loose-Leaf Lettuce=== | ===Growing Loose-Leaf Lettuce=== | ||
| − | #Choose a loose leaf variety for outdoor planting. Loose leaf cultivars are the brightly colored, nutritious lettuces often sold in a "spring mix." These lettuces tolerate warmer temperatures and a shorter growing season than other varieties, so they are usually scattered directly in the garden.<ref>http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/lettuce-growing-guide</ref> | + | #Choose a loose leaf variety for outdoor planting. Loose leaf cultivars are the brightly colored, nutritious lettuces often sold in a "spring mix." These lettuces tolerate warmer temperatures and a shorter growing season than other varieties, so they are usually scattered directly in the garden.<ref name="rf4">http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/lettuce-growing-guide</ref> |
#*Head lettuce should generally be [[#Growing_Head_Lettuce|planted indoors]] instead. | #*Head lettuce should generally be [[#Growing_Head_Lettuce|planted indoors]] instead. | ||
#*Hot weather triggers "bolting" in lettuce, halting leaf growth and introducing a bitter flavor. In hot climates, such as the southern U.S., you'll need to plant the lettuce as soon as possible, or look for a heat-resistant variety. | #*Hot weather triggers "bolting" in lettuce, halting leaf growth and introducing a bitter flavor. In hot climates, such as the southern U.S., you'll need to plant the lettuce as soon as possible, or look for a heat-resistant variety. | ||
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#*Lettuce is hardy, but there are certain conditions that won't allow it to grow properly. Make sure the soil isn't too soggy, and that it has plenty of nitrogen. | #*Lettuce is hardy, but there are certain conditions that won't allow it to grow properly. Make sure the soil isn't too soggy, and that it has plenty of nitrogen. | ||
#*Make sure the soil is humus rich as well. Talk to someone at your local nursery to discuss ways to enrich the soil in your particular region to make it excellent for growing lettuce. | #*Make sure the soil is humus rich as well. Talk to someone at your local nursery to discuss ways to enrich the soil in your particular region to make it excellent for growing lettuce. | ||
| − | #Fertilize the bed. Mix in compost or a balanced fertilizer into the bed at least one week before planting. Optionally, you can apply a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer alongside the plants after about three weeks, when leaves are four inches (10 cm) wide.<ref>https://www.lsu.edu/agriculture/plant/extension/hcpl-publications/lettuce-pub3363.pdf</ref> | + | #Fertilize the bed. Mix in compost or a balanced fertilizer into the bed at least one week before planting. Optionally, you can apply a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer alongside the plants after about three weeks, when leaves are four inches (10 cm) wide.<ref name="rf5">https://www.lsu.edu/agriculture/plant/extension/hcpl-publications/lettuce-pub3363.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Broadcast the seeds. Lettuce is cold-hardy, so you can usually plant them directly in soil about two weeks before the last expected spring frost, or up to six weeks in advance if protected by cold frames or tunnels.<ref | + | #Broadcast the seeds. Lettuce is cold-hardy, so you can usually plant them directly in soil about two weeks before the last expected spring frost, or up to six weeks in advance if protected by cold frames or tunnels.<ref name="rf2" /> Broadcast the seeds over tilled soil, then scatter about {{convert|1/2|in|cm|adj=on|1|1}} of soil on top of them. One seed packet will cover about {{convert|100|ft|m|1}}. Water the seed bed thoroughly after planting. |
| − | #*Stagger the planting at one or two week intervals to get harvests throughout the season. Keep in mind that most lettuces do not grow well in hot temperature, so the last planting date depends on your local climate and the needs of your lettuce cultivar. For best results, use heat-resistant varieties or plant in shade for the final sowings.<ref>http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/lettuce-growing-guide</ref> | + | #*Stagger the planting at one or two week intervals to get harvests throughout the season. Keep in mind that most lettuces do not grow well in hot temperature, so the last planting date depends on your local climate and the needs of your lettuce cultivar. For best results, use heat-resistant varieties or plant in shade for the final sowings.<ref name="rf6">http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/lettuce-growing-guide</ref> |
#Keep the lettuce watered. If the leaves look wilted, they need to be watered. Give the lettuce a light sprinkling every day, and any time the leaves look a little limp. | #Keep the lettuce watered. If the leaves look wilted, they need to be watered. Give the lettuce a light sprinkling every day, and any time the leaves look a little limp. | ||
#Cut away mature leaves. When harvesting looseleaf lettuces, use scissors or a knife to remove the mature leaves without harming the rest of the plant. You can start doing this as soon as the leaves reach the size you'd see in a grocery store. Remove the whole plant after a few weeks, or the plant will turn bitter and start to seed. | #Cut away mature leaves. When harvesting looseleaf lettuces, use scissors or a knife to remove the mature leaves without harming the rest of the plant. You can start doing this as soon as the leaves reach the size you'd see in a grocery store. Remove the whole plant after a few weeks, or the plant will turn bitter and start to seed. | ||
