Undemanding and easy to grow, lettuce grows quickly in pots, in a planter or in the garden. To successfully grow it like a pro and have nice, crunchy greens on your plate this summer, the editorial team gives you a handy little guide to growing lettuce without mistakes. Deciphered.

When to plant lettuce?

Lettuce likes cool weather and head lettuce and romaine lettuce can be planted as early as tilling is possible. Depending on the variety, lettuce typically germinates between 4° and 30° C. For an extended crop, consider sowing lettuce 10-14 days apart and stop before warm temperatures arrive. As for fall lettuces, start planting them in late summer so they will mature when the fall air becomes cooler.

As for iceberg lettuce, it is generally planted indoors and transplanted in spring, after the date of the last frost.

Tips for growing salad well: Where exactly should you plant?

Where to plant lettuce is a very important step, as it is the location that is crucial for the good development of the vegetable. For spring and fall planting, choose locations that receive full sun. If you plan to grow lettuce during the summer, it is essential to protect it from the heat. For a lettuce crop from seed in late summer, generous artificial shade will be needed to cool the soil for the germination process. When the days start to get colder, remove the shade so that the young plants receive plenty of natural light.

The main thing to know is that lettuce grows best in loose, cool, well-drained soil.

How to plant lettuce?

Growing lettuce from seed is a fairly easy task to accomplish. Since the latter are very small, they only require sowing 60 to 1.30 cm deep. Plant them in rows to give your garden a traditional look. Alternating rows of green and red lettuce will create a dynamic outdoor space.

Lettuce plant spacing really depends on the type of vegetables you’ve chosen. If you’re planting seeds directly in the ground, plant 4 by 12 inches apart, and be sure to space the rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Thin leaf lettuce seedlings, spacing them 4 inches apart. Romaine and head lettuce seedlings should be spaced 6 to 8 inches apart.

How far apart are 2 feet of lettuce?

The ideal planting distance is 25 to 30 cm in both directions. This is especially true for iceberg lettuce.

How to grow lettuce?

To learn how to grow lettuce correctly, the following factors related to proper lettuce care are urgent considerations:

Exposure  : Full sun exposure is ideal, with at least six hours of direct light for most of the day. Lettuce also grows in partial shade and appreciates shade in hot climates.

Soil  : Lettuces like light, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. A neutral to slightly acidic pH is preferable.

Watering  : It is important to keep the soil moist at regular intervals. If it is too dry, the leaves may become bitter or sunburned. Water regularly during the week when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch. In summer, daily watering will probably be necessary.

Temperature and humidity  : Lettuce grows best at temperatures between 7°C and 21°C. For summer sowing, it is important to choose heat-resistant varieties such as  Pavia  ,  Meaux  ,  Elna  and  Big apple only  . Some species can tolerate light frost, but not freezing. As for humidity, it is generally not a problem as long as the soil remains moist and the plants are well spaced.

Fertilizer  : Enrich the soil with compost before planting. Then, use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from the third week after planting. Ideally, you should use homemade natural fertilizer to encourage healthy leaf growth.

How and when to harvest lettuce?

Morning is the best time of day to harvest lettuce when it is still plump and not wilted. Harvesting is done when the outer leaves are about 15 cm long.