Growing Lettuce Indoors (Nancy)

This page is about Growing Lettuce Indoors. For the purpose of this page we will use the Nancy leaf lettuce.

The Nancy lettuce is a Big Boston for Spring and Fall. The medium-green leaves are unusually thick and crisp, so the head is sturdy and holds well. The large, well-packed heart has excellent butterhead quality. Days to Maturity: 52

CULTURE: 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 their 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.

When Growing Lettuce Indoors, sow into 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. Sow seeds 1" apart, rows 12-18" apart. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8", and firm soil gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for even germination.

FULL-SIZED HEADS: Begin sowing in spring as soon as the soil is ready, 3 seeds every 8", rows 12-18" apart. Thin young seedlings to one plant every 8".

SALAD MIX/BABY LEAF: 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 at least 10,000 seeds. MT0-30 indicates that no LMV was found in a sample of at least 30,000 seeds.

NOTE: A disease-free test result does not guarantee a seed lot to be disease-free, only that in the sample tested, the pathogen targeted was not found.

DAYS TO MATURITY: For full-size heads in mild temperatures, from direct seeding; 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. However, time will differ when Growing Lettuce Indoors.

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 9-26 I planted the Lettuce seeds. I put them in round pots made out of organic materials and peat. The lettuce seeds are buried in potting soil about 1/4 to 1/2 deep.

03-06-10

My obsevations have been that I do not have a green thumb when it comes to Growing Lettuce Indoors. Most anything will grow inside if you get enough light on it, however there is no substitue for real sunshine.

If one is dead set on growing lettuce indoors it is best to have a greenhouse. I did notice that my lettuce did withstand some very low temps.

10-03-09

My lettuce seeds started coming up. But we have had a lot of cloudy weather so they are not getting enough sunshine so they are growing up tall and thin. This is not good.

Last night we received five inches of rain and we are supposed to get more. I have already replanted them again.

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