The Yard Farmer

Lettuce is one of the popular forms of leafy green vegetables. It is not only versatile to be used in many dishes and sandwiches; it is also easy to grow. In gardening, lettuce is one of the first crops that can be planted and harvested in spring. Lettuces do well in containers and where there is small space though an adequate amount of space should be left in between to lettuce heads so that it doesn’t get crowded. Here are a few tips on growing lettuce:

Tips on Growing Lettuce

1. You can start planting well ahead 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date
2. In the fall, you can start about 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost date
3. Lettuce are very productive in gardens so it is better to be harvested early than late
4. About 5 hours or more of sunlight a day is adequate but it doesn’t fair well if temperatures are too hot
5. A light application of fertilizer is sufficient as lettuces are generally light feeders.
6. Keep soil to a pH level of 6 to 7.5
7. Soil depth should at least be 6 to 8 inches especially if using container
8. Spacing for lettuces depends on the variety that you are planting but generally, it should be at least 8 inches apart to 14 inches apart
9. Watering should be done at least half to an inch a week and it needs to be consistent as lettuce leaves thrive on water

Just like potatoes, lettuces also come in different varieties. Here are some of the most commonly used types of lettuces:

Leaf Lettuce: This is the most heat tolerant and easiest to grow of all lettuce varieties. The leaf lettuce is loosely bunched instead of having a tight head and comes in many types and colors. Quick to grow, this lettuce’s harvest time can be extended just by simply cutting a few leaves at a time or cutting a couple of inches above ground level. Some of the famous varieties of leaf lettuces are Black Seeded Simpson, Early Curled Simpson, Red Sails and Oak Leaf Lettuce.

Butterhead Lettuce- this lettuce makes any sandwich taste scrumptious. The leaves form in a small frame with open heads and they get their name from the buttery center of the head. This variety is the smallest in the lettuce family and are a favorite for salads too. Of the popular varieties are Buttercrunch, Tom Thumb, Summer Bibb, and Little Gem.

Romaine- Also referred to as Cos, these types of lettuce are very colorful and they grow in a formation of upright clusters of leaves. Also a favorite for salads, some of the varieties include Dark Green Cos, Green Towers, and Ideal Cos.

Crisphead- One of the traditional forms of head lettuce. Harvest is only done once and then there would be no second wave of lettuce. Among the common varieties are Iceberg, Ithaca and Great Lakes.