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Start lettuce indoors 4 weeks before transplanting; sow or transplant lettuce into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Seed germinates in 2 to 10 days at or near 70°F (21°C)—but sometimes seed can take up to 2 weeks to germinate if the soil is cold.
When should I start lettuce seeds?
Lettuce seeds germinate best in the cooler temperatures of spring or fall. If it’s too hot, they won’t germinate. What is this? 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.
Should you start lettuce seeds indoors?
Lettuce is so easy to grow it can be started indoors for early transplants or sown directly in the garden. In fact, doing both is recommended to get maximum production. Start some lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before the last frost date in your area.
What month do you start seeds indoors?
As a general rule, most annual vegetables should be sown indoors about six weeks before the last frost in your area.
What temp kills lettuce?
Colder temperatures (26-31 degrees F.) may burn foliage but will not kill broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, and turnip. The real cold weather champs are beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.
Does lettuce need direct sunlight?
Soil, Planting, and Care Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. You can grow lots of lettuce in a small space, even a container.
How long does it take for lettuce to germinate?
Cover with only a fine layer of compost, as lettuce seeds need light to germinate. They should begin to germinate after about 7 days. Once they are big enough to handle, thin the seedlings out to allow 10-20cm between plants and mulch around them with well-rotted compost to lock in moisture and keep them healthy.
What is the fastest growing vegetable?
1. Radishes. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time.
What is the fastest growing lettuce?
Some of the fastest growing lettuce varieties include: Flashy Trout Back, Buttercrunch, Jericho, Green Saladbowl, Red Sails, Clearwater, Deer Tongue, Waldmann’s Dark Green, Tambay, Alboreto, Powerhouse, and Little Gem. All of these lettuce varieties will be ready for harvest in less than 6 weeks from planting.
Can you use egg cartons to start seeds?
You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.
When can I start seeds in an unheated greenhouse?
Because of this controlled environment, you can actually start seeds in greenhouses anytime. However, if you are starting plants, which you plan to transplant into gardens outdoors in the spring, then you should start the seeds in greenhouses 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date for your location.
When should I start seedlings for spring?
The best time to start seeds is usually late March to late May. Only the southern zones are suitable for starting plants from seed in the earlier months. Give the plant enough time to germinate and grow to an appropriate transplant size.
Should you cover lettuce seeds?
Direct sowing lettuce seeds Don’t sow the seeds too deeply as they need light to germinate. Cover them with a thin layer of soil. Once the seedlings are growing well, thin to ten to twelve inches.
Can you grow lettuce indoors all year?
Ways Of Growing Lettuce Indoors. Grow lettuce indoors in a sunny window. This makes it possible to plant lettuce in a pot and grow it all year long — even in the winter when tender leaves would be damaged. If a window is not an option for you, grow lettuce or lettuce microgreens under grow lights.
Do I need to cover lettuce for frost?
Lettuce is tolerant of cold temperatures for short periods of time, although growth will slow down. To protect lettuce in frost prone areas, plant romaine or butterhead lettuce, which are the most cold-tolerant. When frost is predicted, cover the garden with sheets or towels to provide some protection.
Can vegetable plants survive 40 degree weather?
Cool-season crops can be planted when the soil and air temperatures are at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Hardy vegetables tolerate cold temperatures the best—their seeds will germinate in cool soil, and seedlings can typically survive heavy frost.
Can lettuce survive a hard freeze?
Lettuce can usually tolerate at least a couple of hard frosts, especially if you’ve taken steps to harden off the seedlings and keep the soil warm. A light freeze is defined as any time temperatures are in the 28 to 32°F range, and a hard freeze occurs below 28°F.
How often should lettuce be watered?
Grow. Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
How often do you water lettuce seeds?
ANSWER: Lettuce should be watered not daily but instead about twice a week, or once every four or five days, for most of its growing period. It will need to be watered lightly but more frequently for the first two weeks after planting, perhaps daily, depending on your climate.
