Lettuce

Introduction

Lettuce is one of the most rewarding cool-season crops for our climate. This versatile green thrives in our mild fall, winter, and spring weather. With so many varieties and colors, lettuce can be both a productive food crop and an attractive addition to your garden beds and containers.

Type: Cool-season annual
Height: 6–12 inches, depending on type
Harvest Season: Fall, winter, and early spring
Sun Requirements: Full sun in cool months; partial afternoon shade in spring to delay bolting
Soil Type: Loose, fertile soil rich in compost
Water Needs: Regular and consistent moisture; shallow roots dry out quickly

Direct seed or transplant:
- Fall crop: September–October
- Winter crop: November–January (in frost-free microclimates or under row cover)
- Spring crop: February–April
Avoid summer planting—high heat quickly causes bolting and bitter flavor.

Choose a sunny spot for fall/winter crops.
For spring crops, provide afternoon shade or use shade cloth to help plants last longer before bolting.
Great for containers and raised beds—ideal for small spaces and easy harvesting.

Seeds: Sow ⅛ inch deep, spacing 1 inch apart. Thin to 6–8 inches apart for leaf lettuce, 10–12 inches for romaine and butterhead.
Transplants: Space according to variety. Handle gently—lettuce roots are shallow and delicate.
Soil prep: Enrich soil with compost before planting; lettuce is a heavy feeder.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during germination (7–10 days).

Watering: Provide frequent, light watering; dry soil leads to bitterness and bolting.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer every 3–4 weeks. Side-dressing with compost also works well.
Bolting: As temperatures rise in late spring, lettuce will form flower stalks. Plant bolt-resistant varieties and use shade cloth to extend harvests.
Pests & diseases: Watch for aphids, snails, and slugs. Control pests with row covers, handpicking, or organic sprays as needed.

Leaf types: Harvest outer leaves as soon as they reach 3–4 inches, or cut the entire plant at the base.
Head types: Harvest when heads are firm and full-sized.
For a continuous harvest, plant small patches every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.

Lettuce is an annual and does not regrow once harvested.
If left to bolt, plants will produce seeds, which can be saved or allowed to self-sow in cooler months.

For winter crops, choose frost-tolerant varieties like romaine and leaf lettuces.
In spring, plant heat-tolerant varieties for longer harvests.
Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails by using copper tape around containers or organic slug bait.
Extend your lettuce harvest by growing in containers you can move to cooler spots as temperatures rise.