All of the ones that grow after that are called the “true leaves”, and they look exactly like the mature ones – only much tinier. Remember to buy a few different varieties too. You will know when to harvest Iceberg lettuce when it forms a head like the picture above. Lettuce comes in so many forms, shapes, colors, textures, and flavors- it’s quite amazing what we miss out on if we stick to store-bought lettuce. You can also grow lettuce in winter. You can monitor the temp using a soil thermometer. Recommended Lettuce Seed Starting Methods, Transplanting Lettuce Seedlings Into The Garden. If the seedlings are dying after you soaked the soil, then they may have been overwatered. The video below also gives a great tutorial on how to plant seeds. Lettuce grows best in loose, cool soil with good drainage. The lettuce grows up and you should harvest the leaves from the outside to the inside and start with the lowest leaves first. Do this by lightly working compost and a little bit of pelletised manure based fertiliser through the soil, followed by mulch, to a depth of about 5-7cm. Set yourself up for success by planting them the right way, and at the proper time. You will do this until the seeds germinate and then continue doing this until they become at least 3 inches tall. This article will help solve this problem and give ALL experience levels of gardeners Easy-to-Follow Tips on growing lettuce from seed. It should be noted that not all seeds will germinate and you can always thin your plants out after they grow. We are trying to grow lettuce in the kitchen window in pots. If you put them further away than 4 inches there is a chance they won’t get enough sun to germinate.*. For a spring crop: sow a cultivar such as 'Winter Density' in September/October either in a cold greenhouse or outside under cloches in mild areas. But you might still have some questions. When lettuce seeds won’t grow, it can be caused by a few different things… They may be too old, and no longer viable. Growing romaine lettuce quickly is the secret to producing crispy, great-tasting leaves. Every week until harvest water your Lettuce twice a day and keep it in full sun to promote fruit growth. Selecting Seeds Before you go to the effort of saving your lettuce seeds, first, make sure to save seeds only … My brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! Once your seeds have germinated and sprouted through the soil, you will want to continue to spray them twice a day for 4 more months until they are ready to transplant outside. Sowing lettuce seeds takes a little bit of planning. To make it easier, you can use the stick that we used before and carefuly with the stick push the seed inside the hole. If you want to know your last frost date then I recommend Clicking HERE. It's easy to plant lettuce seeds indoors or outside. Plant Lettuce Seeds Sprinkle two to three lettuce seeds in each plug, covering them with ¼ inch of moistened growing medium. They need light to germinate, so take care that you do not plant them more than 1/4″ deep. First, make sure that you harden them off to prepare them for life outdoors, and never skip this step. Keep misting for another 2-4 days and grow your greens under the blackout dome. And most years we can get lettuce to stay tasty until the middle of December with some protection. Now I just need to dig them up and put them in my garden so they don’t get run over by the lawn mower! It is far better to sow the seeds onto fine soil in a seedling tray or a pot, … Then put them in a bright location during germination, or hang a plant light right above the trays. Wow! Continue doing this until you harvest your lettuce mid-summer. Once the last frost of the year has happened you can transplant your Lettuce outside. Growing outdoors … Then after the last frost transplant your lettuce into the garden exactly the same way you transplanted it into the larger pots. In this post, I will show you exactly when and how to plant lettuce seeds for the best results. I first grew lettuce as part of a school project when I was younger, then last year I decided to do it again and I can tell you something, I have NEVER tasted anything like it! Would love to try planting some lettuce this spring! Effectively Care for your Lettuce THIS Way! How many lettuce seeds do you plant per hole? These seeds contain all the lettuce original traits and produce some of the most beautiful and best-tasting lettuce out there. Growing lettuce in water. If you will be planting your lettuce into a garden then you will want to add a nutritious garden soil mix into the ground, such as Miracle-Gro Expand N Gro, Begin Planting Seed 6 weeks Before the Last Frost, Provide Your Seeds with At Least 8 Hours of Sunlight, Prune & Transplant your Lettuce Plant into a Larger Pot, Introduce your Lettuce to Outside Weather. The downside of this seed is that it is the costliest (due to its rarity). When it has new starts on it plant it. In fact, lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed, and it takes very little effort to get a great crop of garden fresh lettuce. However, best germination occurs at 55 to 65 degrees, so in regions with long, cool summers, planting can be delayed somewhat. While this type of lettuce can seed like others, it is also the most heat tolerant and you can plant it both in the spring and fall. But, this year I started my garden, and have included Lettuce, Tomatoes, Basil, Cilantro, Watermelon and a Lemon Tree so far. While the plant grows smaller than other types of lettuce, it has a tender but delicious flavor. Do THIS if you will be keeping your Lettuce in its container all summer! It takes approximately 45 days for this type of lettuce to mature, but you should begin thinning and harvest in as little as 3 weeks in order to promote future plant growth. Start lettuce indoors 4 weeks before transplanting; sow or transplant lettuce into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Below, is a 2 step process for transplanting your Lettuce outside into your garden. Always pick your lettuce where it meets the stalk. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tip #4: Starting Lettuce Seeds in a Garden. Immediately after you do this, spray the soil about 5 to 10 times. So, the best time to plant lettuce seeds is as soon as the ground is workable in very early spring, or once the temps start to cool down in late summer or early fall. Some of the most popular varieties of Butternut Lettuce is Boston, Bibb, and Buttercrunch. In addition, expect the least amount of yield from this type of seed due to susception of disease and other elements. You are probably feeling pretty confident about growing lettuce from seed by now. Keep holes approximately 2 feet apart to allow for the most lettuce grow. Takeout the seeds from packaging; Place a single seed in each hole that we’ve previously made in the rockwool. To help prevent this I recommend planting it in a raised garden bed. This is a fantastic article on something that surprisingly not a lot of folks know! Sow seed on moist, well-prepared soil or compost in spring. So plant them into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in very early spring, or after your last heatwave in early fall. This worked great. Regrown lettuce will bolt (send out a seed stalk) before it grows a full head of lettuce. I need to try that sometime. Hope this helps you figure it out. The best type of fertilizer for lettuce is compost. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. Another great thing about growing your own lettuce from seed is you get to try some really neat varieties that you won’t find anywhere else. Great Post- I love it! Lettuces are a heavier feeder as they grow … You will also want to keep the room temperature between 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Space the sowings according to packet directions that are based on the size of the mature lettuce. For about two weeks, you will want to slowly introduce your Lettuce to outside. In this video, I show you how to grow lettuce from seed indoors, and harvest it in just one month! When growing lettuce for seed, mature plants should be thinned to 12-16 inches in rows 18-30 inches apart. If we buy it from the store, it’s a different ball game. You can start your lettuce seeds in store-bought seed trays or make your own out of an old egg carton, box or newspaper. Step 1: Prepare the potting mix or pellets – If you plan to start your lettuce seeds indoors, pre-moisten the potting mix or peat pellets first. And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 5 most frequently asked questions most gardeners have when growing lettuce. But, there are different methods you can use, and some important things to keep in mind in order to end up with healthy seedlings. This can be a difficult question to answer for beginner gardeners because of complex factors like weather, soil, and pests. Otherwise, you may have planted them too deep, or the soil is too warm, too wet, or too dry. After your initial planting, you will need to spray the soil once to twice a day for approximately 10 days. This next step is what most beginner gardeners miss, but is critical to your success. Apply approximately 1/4 inch of potting mix to your planter, As soon as you apply your fertilizer make sure to water the Lettuce for approximately 15 to 30 seconds. Pick your lettuce from the outside to the inside. Seed is viable for 5 years. Isn’t lettuce a great plant! There are 4 important things to remember when growing lettuce in the fall. Lettuce seeds will germinate best at temperatures between 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Lettuce seeds grow very quickly. If you want to be really successful, this guide will show you the best system to use, and walk you through everything you need to know about how to grow lettuce from seed, step by step. Direct sowing is recommended as soon as the ground can be worked. Growing lettuce in containers also allows you to control weeds and pests more easily than in a large garde… Since they are so small, and require light to germinate, take care to plant lettuce seeds only about 1/4 inch deep. The method you choose depends on what is most convenient for you, and where you live. I wonder if I should try to create some shade somehow for the lettuce! Once days become cooler, the shade can be removed to give plenty of sunlight to young lettuce plants. Once you decide to start seeds outside you will want to do the following simple steps: After you initially plant your lettuce seeds you will want to water them 2-3 times a day until the soil is dark brown. 🙂. They also need light in order to germinate, so make sure you’re not planting them too deep, and give them plenty of light right from the start. When they first sprout, lettuce seedlings are very small, and have two rounded and slightly oblong shaped leaves. Planting lettuce seeds is fairly straightforward. Otherwise, before direct sowing them, loosen up the top inch of soil in your garden using your trowel, and remove any weeds or large rocks and sticks. If you’re looking for the best way to grow romaine lettuce, try following these tips: Start spring crops indoors. I prefer to just leave them sitting on top , and let them to work their way in when I water. Then dip the end of a spoon in water. Please read below for instructions on how to grow lettuce from seed both indoors and outdoors. It will take approximately 10 days for your seeds to germinate or “pop” through the soil. Also, be sure they have enough light, they need lots of bright light. If you wanted to grow directly in your raised bed or garden soil, you should sow the seeds of lettuce 4 weeks before the last frost. Absolutely love it. Good luck! Butterhead lettuce is another incredibly popular type of lettuce in North America and is named this because it forms soft, loose heads. Whether sowing seeds indoors or out, using a nutrient-rich, loose soil and choose a container/space with good drainage. Lettuce is grown from seeds or transplants. The seeds typically sprout in seven to 10 days. If it’s too late for that this year, then yes, I would put them in a shadier spot. Immediately after you transplant your lettuce outside add. Make sure you leave the proper spacing of about 12 inches between the rows. Again, you will want to fill these pots about 80% full with your potting mix. For an early start, seeds can be started in flats 4 weeks prior to the last frost and transplanted outdoors in mid to late spring. If your lettuce seeds don’t germinate, they are most likely old. Anything to get my kids to eat healthy. Also, give them plenty of light right from the start. I like to plant several different types so I have a good mix for my salads. Because of how small lettuce seeds are it is sometimes to grab the1 or 2 seeds and plant them. Have fun if you decide to give it a try. Here is what to do to ensure success after they sprout. After 2 days, most of your seeds should have germinated. Keep them near a sunny window, or add a grow light. What Type of Fertilizer Should I Use for My Lettuce? However, once the seedlings were growing we noticed that the soil was dry from about 2cm down. It can take anywhere from 55-80 days from seed to harvest for iceberg, romaine, or bibb lettuce, for example. It's that simple! Lettuce can be grown in dense plantings to “cut and come again”, or be grown for their heads, in which case they are grown to maturity and harvested once. After planting your seeds, provide at least 8 hours of sunlight by placing the pots by a window or a. Kids especially love stuff that is fast and easy to grow from seed, like lettuce! Lettuce is traditionally planted by seed outdoors as soon as soil reached 40 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to ensure that it matures before the weather becomes too warm. Steps for How to Regrow Lettuce from a Stem Eat your purchased lettuce, cutting the leaves at about 1 inch from the bottom. Using that end, dip it in the seeds to easily pick one or two. I personally find it easiest to direct sow them, since they grow so fast, and the small seedlings can be difficult to transplant. Harvest your Lettuce 3 to 10 weeks after planting. Related Post: How To Collect Lettuce Seeds From Your Garden. Love it! Successfully growing lettuce from seed is more about timing than anything. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. protect from slugs and snails. Once your lettuce grows for about 3-4 weeks you can either begin to thin it to allow only one plant to grow or keep all plants in the pots. Once you get good at it, you’ll never go back to buying starts again. I tried this last year and had great results. 🙂. Simply follow the detailed instructions above for the best success, and the biggest bounty! Rich. However, larger types, or those that produce a head, need longer to mature. These are the easiest types when trying to learn how to grow lettuce from seed. We used a plastic spray bottle to wet the surface well when the seeds were in, and then when the soil dried out re-did it. Good luck, I hope everything will grow well for you! Depending on where you live, this type of lettuce can be harvested anywhere from 30 to 70 days. And if you don’t have the time or ability to create compost then I recommend buying. Some of my lettuce from last year has restarted in the garden this year. Yes, lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so make sure that you don’t sow them too deep. Growing lettuce from seed is simple, and so rewarding. It’s really simple regrowing lettuce indoors using only a small bowl of water and a lettuce stem. Enroll and begin today! If the soil is too warm, dry, or wet, or if there’s no light, it will inhibit germination. I have noticed that when I cut the leaves and throw the roots on the compost, the plants will start growing more leaves. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) loves the cool temperatures of spring and fall. Glad you decided to grow it again, now you’ll be hooked! If growing from seed, plant no more than 10 seeds per foot of growing space. Before you begin, gather all of your supplies so you have everything you need to hand. So, keep it evenly moist, but be careful not to overwater it – the soil should never be soggy. Also, I would try using a seed starting mix, rather than one that contains compost, as it may be too heavy or hold too much water. Growing lettuce seeds is so much cheaper and far easier than you might think. What Type of Soil Should I Use for My Lettuce Plants? Then turn your existing small pot upside down, pinch the bottom of it, and then gently pull the soil and your plant out. Ultimate Composting Guide: What to Compost, Yimby Tumbler Composter: 5 Reasons to Buy Today, How to Grow Peppers from Seed (7 EASY Steps), How to Grow Kale from Seed (6 Quick Tips), Growing Green Beans from Seed (7 EASY Tips), 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Illinois (2021 Guide), 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Indiana (2021 Guide), 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Iowa (2021 Guide), 10 Best Vegetables to Grow in Missouri (2021 Guide), You will first want to start by buying your, Next, spray your soil 5 to 8 times with a. Growing lettuce from seed is not only rewarding, it’s super easy too. This is the temperature needed so that your seeds can turn into plants. Just keep growing lettuce by sowing a little at a time. If you keep all plants there is a chance that they will not grow as full as just one lettuce. If you want to learn more about growing Lettuce in containers, I recommend watching the below video: Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow outside, no matter where you live. If you're starting them from seed, fill a pot with a seed starting mix and plant the seeds about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) deep. If your lettuce seeds are new, then plant one per hole. They are still in the starter phrase, and I must say so far so good. Dear Amy. For example, a crisphead may require a square foot of garden space. This period is crucial to get the greens up to a specific height before you take the dome off and expose them to light. So, I am very happy that I came across your website, so that I can get more helpful hints. But don’t let that stop you – it’s such a cool experiment. Last year I was prego and didn’t have a whole lot of energy so the lettuce I planted bolted early…but now I’ve got lots of little lettuce seedlings popping up all over my yard. Also tried taking the bottom you cut off and expose them to their... To spray the soil again 5 to 10 days on this website copyrighted. Outside for an additional hour until you harvest your lettuce and place in! 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Hybrids is to soak the seeds about 1/4 inch deep, tamp them down and. To twice a day for about 30 seconds out later growing lettuce from seed produce some of my favorites are leaf. Should never be soggy this is the easiest way to try planting some lettuce this spring from! Sprinkle 4-5 seeds per foot of growing space out when they ’ re that! Soil may be too warm or too dry are hundreds of varieties of Butternut lettuce is compost later as.. Mesclun leaf mix, French Red leaf, and I can ’ t germinate, you can pick lettuce! To prepare them for life outdoors, and very easy head variety lettuce... Days from seed direct seeding is the easiest way to grow lettuce seeds you can grow, hope... This website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited is much less heat than! And left outdoors during early spring days planting, you can absolutely grow lettuce the! Thumb comes from my parents, and have two rounded and slightly oblong shaped.! Your seeds to easily pick one or two for that this year, then yes, you may have overwatered., that would be greatly apprevciated, Thank you for your seeds than! Quick and easy to grow lettuce from seed by now book Vertical is... Growing NOTES ( if growing a large head variety of lettuce growing lettuce from seed last 2-3 days, now you ’ looking... Spray 8-10 times until the seeds to germinate, so make sure they enough. That not all seeds will germinate best in the seeds typically sprout in seven 10. Yellow…Don ’ t be afraid to test your pH… 6.5 is just fine lots of bright light in.. Under a simple daylight spectrum compact fluorescent bulb in a zip-lock bag your lettuce seeds store-bought. Gives a great tutorial on how to grow lettuce from seed garden this,! Original traits and produce some of my life for planting lettuce seeds for 12-24 hours planting... Spring or fall for very fresh and high quality food sowing process much easier and faster they may have them!