LATIN NAME: Lactuca sativa
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: One of the first vegetables you can plant in spring, lettuce is a snap to grow. Seeds sprout in soil as cool as 40°F, but best growth is in 60°F soil. Gardeners easily can grow 3 types: Leaf lettuce forms a loose head, grows fastest, and is best for poor soil and hot weather. Boston or butterhead has large, ruffly leaves outside and pale, delicately flavored leaves inside. Romaine, or cos, has long, broad, upright leaves that are thick, juicy, crisp, and strong flavored. Iceberg lettuce in groceries is difficult to grow for home gardeners because it has specific watering needs, and in hot weather it won’t form solid heads. If you live in the South or plant late, choose a bolt-resistant cultivar to avoid bitter leaves.
GERM. DATE: June 16, 2009
GERM. TIME: 10-14 days
TRANSPLANT DATE: June 23, 2009
TYPE OF PLANT: Vegetable
BLOOM CYCLE:
pH LEVEL:
SEED DEPTH: ¼ inch
HEIGHT OF PLANT:
WIDTH OF PLANT:
PLANT SPACING: 6 inches
ROW SPACING: 12 inches
DAYS TO HARVEST: 48 days
ZONE REQUIREMENTS: Adapted to all climates, but best in temperatures of 60° to 75°F
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS: Good supply of nitrogen and potassium. Spray every 10 to 14 days with liquid seaweed to hasten harvest.
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Moist, especially after planting and when seedlings are small
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Average, cool, well-drained (loose) soil
DISEASE PROBLEMS:
PEST/INSECT PROBLEMS: Cabbage loopers
SOLUTIONS: Prevent cabbage loopers by covering with floating row covers. Treat with BT. Hot, dry weather can cause tip burn; plant resistant cultivars.
HOW TO GROW: Sow seeds outdoors as early as soil can be worked. For continuous harvest, plant every 3 to 4 weeks through summer and fall, using heat-resistant cultivars in summer. Sow seeds 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Cover with ⅛ inch of soil, firm soil gently, and water lightly. Thin leaf lettuce to 6 inches; cos and butterhead to 8 to 10 inches. For early spring start, begin indoors in cool room 3 to 4 weeks before you plan to set out transplants. Mulch to keep soil cool and leaves clean.
HARVEST NOTES: Pick leaf and romaine types when outer leaves are 4 to 6 inches long. Cut off entire head at base or pick outer leaves and allow rest to continue growing. Harvest butterhead when heads are firm.
SPECIAL CARE/NOTES:
STORE BY: Refrigerate in plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
PRESERVE BY:
USES FOR PLANT: Can be eaten fresh.
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