Growing Leaf Lettuce

This page is about growing leaf lettuce. For our samples we will be showing the Nancy and Adriana.

CULTURE: When growing leaf, keep in mind that lettuce is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. It is a cool weather crop and makes its best growth at temperatures of 60-65°F (16-18°C). Careful variety selection is important for hot weather crops. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh lettuce.

THERMAL DORMANCY: Lettuce can be dormant at high temperatures. For best germination results sow at soil temperatures of 68°F (20°C) or lower. The priming process in pelleted lettuce seeds broadens the temperature range in which the seeds will germinate, overcoming some of a lot's thermal dormancy.

TRANSPLANTING: Sow in flats, 4 seeds/in., or in 3/4" plug trays, barely covering seeds with fine vermiculite, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Shade the flats on sunny, warm days if necessary to keep the soil surface cool, below 75°F (24°C), until germination.

If sowing and growing leaf lettuce in flats, transplant 1-2" apart into flats, pots, or cell-type containers about 2 weeks later. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 2-3 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as 20°F (-6°C).

Transplant iceberg lettuce 12" apart in rows 18" apart, other types 8-12" x 12-18" apart. DIRECT SEEDING: Seeds germinate even at low, 40°F (4°C), soil temperature, but poorly above 75-85°F (24-29°C) depending on the variety and seed lot. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8", and firm soil gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for even germination.

When growing leaf lettuce, thin young seedlings to one plant per spot. For salad mix: sow in a 2-4" wide band, about 60 seeds/ft.

MT0 SEEDS: A variety name followed by MT0-10 indicates that the seeds offered for sale in sizes larger than a packet have been tested for the presence of lettuce mosaic virus and that no LMV was found in a sample of 10,000 seeds or less.

MT0-30 indicates that no LMV was found in a sample of 30,000 seeds tested. NOTE: A disease-free test result does not guarantee a seedlot to be disease-free, only that in the sample tested, the pathogen targeted was not found.

DAYS TO MATURITY: For full-size heads from direct seeding and growth in mild temperatures; subtract 10-14 days if transplanting. Note: maturity can be 3 or more weeks later in cool weather, and up to 1 week earlier in hot weather.

Organic Seeds and Supplies

For seeds, OG means "organically grown" and signifies seeds harvested from plants grown organically, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and according to National Organic Program standards.

For supplies, OG signifies products that are approved for use in growing certified organic crops; supplies are listed by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) when noted in the product description.

On 9-27-09 When growing leaf lettuce, I planted seeds for both varieties indoor pots to go along with the ones we have planted outside in containers.

The plants outside are coming along as we see in the pictures below. Progress has been a bit slow due to the rain and cooler temps we had, but things have warmed up and they are doing much better now.

New! Eco-friendly CowPots™ are a nutrient rich, renewable, American product made from recycled cow manure - as seen on TV’s Dirty Jobs!

The invention of two Connecticut dairy farmers, Matt and Ben Freund, these award-winning, 100% biodegradable, transplant pots are made from fully composted manure so they are almost completely odor free.

Transplanting the whole pot prevents root shock. The pots last for months in the greenhouse but when planted will rapidly disintegrate, adding nutrients to the soil, resulting in enhanced root growth and sturdier, healthier plants.

So far I have noticed no smell and they are very hardy compared to regular biodegradable pots.

Visit Cow Pots with Dirty Jobs to see a video on the Cow Pots.

UPDATE:

12-20-09

It has not been a good Fall season for growing leaf lettuce in the house. My plants I started indoors did not do well. I did not have enough light on them. I guess I am not very good at growing stuff indoors.

Then we have had a cool and cloudy Fall season. The seeds I planted in the containers did real good. I had some good pictures but my son accidentally erased my pictures off the camera.

But below is a picture of the Adriana and Nancy Lettuce. They did very well outside, but took a little longer to mature than it should have. I replanted some seeds the other day and will see if we get any better results.

Check back for more information on growing leaf lettuce.

Also visit our pages on How to Grow Lettuce, Growing Lettuce form Seed and Growing Lettuce Indoors.

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