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All About Lettuce - Urban Farmer's Guide
Home > Gardener's Guide > All About Lettuce
Introduction
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Lettuce is the focal point for every good salad. It is also a staple in sandwiches, and as a decorative underlayment for other foods. It is nutritious, yet low in calories. Lettuce is popular for dieters and for those who want to stay trim. All these issues aside, we eat lettuce because it tastes great!
Before Planting
Choose a site that gets full sun in cool-weather areas, partial sun in warmer climates or for summer plantings. The ideal pH is 6.0 to 7.0.
Planting
Scatter the seeds across the surface of the soil. Remember to sow thinly for best results; over-crowded seedlings will have to fight for space and light. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost. Firm the compost down gently. Once the plants have sprouted, thin plants to 8 to 16" inches depending on the variety.
Watering
Keep the soil moist, but avoid watering in the evening: Foliage that stays wet overnight is prone to disease. Mulch to conserve moisture and keep the soil cool
Fertilizer
Feed lettuce plants every three weeks with seaweed extract or compost tea.
Days to Maturity
Depends on type and whether they were started from seed but almost all lettuce plants will mature in 45-75 days from planting.
Harvesting
Begin cutting leaf lettuces as soon as they're big enough to use. Harvest heading types when the heads are firm and fully formed. On loose-headed varieties, the outer leaves can be picked and the inner leaves allowed to grow. Use a sharp knife or scissors. Loose leaf varieties will grow back after cutting.
Storing
Loose leaf and butterhead lettuce taste best if eaten shortly after harvest. The excess keeps well in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks if you harvest the leaves, roll them up in moistened, thick paper towels, and put them in an unsealed plastic bag or container. Store at cool temperatures (32° F), and 95% relative humidity. Crisphead types will keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Pests & Diseases
Various insects can be a problem when growing lettuce. Aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, leafhoppers and leaf miners just to name a few. Since lettuce does not need to be pollinated in order to produce a crop, all of these insects can be stopped by growing your lettuce under a floating row cover.
Tips
Use your fingers to tear lettuce into bite-size pieces; a knife can bruise the edges and destroy any vitamins.
