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How To Grow Head Lettuce
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PLANT TYPE: Annual
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lactuca sativa
LIGHT: Full Sun in spring/fall, partial shade in summer
SOIL TYPE: Rich, well-drained, loose loam.
pH RANGE: 6.0 - 7.0
MOISTURE/WATERING: Keep moist, not waterlogged, frequent short watering is best
MATURITY IN DAYS: 45 - 55
KNOWN PESTS: slugs, aphids, plant bugs and leaf hoppers
KNOWN DISEASES: N/A
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OVERVIEW:
Growing head lettuce requires rich soil, lots of sunlight and lots of water.
Head lettuce do best in cooler weather. The plants need temperatures around
55°F to 60°F during the growing season, this means starting plants
early indoors.
Start seedlings indoors in late winter, six to eight weeks before
the last expected spring frost. Before transplanting, harden the head lettuce plants off
to get them ready for outdoor living. Place lettuce in a sheltered place outside for a
few hours a day, increasing the time until they're out there all day.
Gardeners in mild climates can sow seeds directly in the garden.
PROPAGATION / SOWING OF HEAD LETTUCE:
Direct seed head lettuce in early spring, as seed will germinate between 40-80°F. Sowing thinly ¼” and 1” apart.
LETTUCE SPACING:
Leaf lettuce types - 6” apart with 12” rows; Iceberg lettuce - 12” apart with 18” row spacing;
Romaine lettuce - 8-10” apart with 12-16” rows Butterhead/Batavia lettuce - 10-12” apart with 12”
row spacing. Start lettuce transplants indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date for transplants. Make succession
plantings every 1-2 weeks to ensure a constant harvest.
COMPANION PLANTING FOR HEAD LETTUCE:
Head Lettuce does well with most vegetables, carrot, garlic, onion and radish make the best companions.
CARE & GROWING HEAD LETTUCE:
Choose an area with full sun to partial shade and a soil pH of 6.2-6.8. Lettuce is a heavy feeder and
prefers a rich, well cultivated soil with good drainage. Some success can be expected even in poor
soils using the loose-leaf lettuce types. Add plenty of compost or well rotted manure prior to planting lettuce.
lettuce benefits from regular feedings with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Mulching is useful to keep soil
cool and reduce weeds.
HARVESTING:
Harvest lettuce early in the morning after dew is evaporated. Looseleaf types can be picked as soon as leaves are large enough to eat.
Harvest head lettuce types when they are firm and well wrapped.
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POPULAR HEAD LETTUCE VARIETIES
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Tiber Lettuce
Excellent, very common head lettuce. Develops large, round, very firm heads. Crisp, fresh and solidly wrapped. Deep green color almost
to the core. Very resistant to tipburn. Maturity 65 - 75 days.
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Summertime Lettuce
Summertime lettuce has proven to be one of the most popular varities of head lettuce. Bolt resistant and grows very
well in warm weather conditions. Crisp and solid, nice rich color, medium size heads.
One of the better leaf texture and quality head lettuce than other varieties. Maturity about 68 days.
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Optima Lettuce
One of the darkest green Boston types yet. A large lettuce with heavy, dark leaves.
A mild dressing is all that is needed with this buttery flavored lettuce. Maturity 58 days.
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Sangria Lettuce
A beautiful red butterhead. Medium dark green leaves
tinged with the perfect amount of red. Smooth leaves are sweet
and tender. An attractive addition to any salad. Resists bolting, tip-burning and mildew races 1,2,3,4.
Maturity 55 days.
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Indigo Radicchio Lettuce
Dark red leaves add flair to a salad. Indigo is a consistent performing radicchio. It will produce more reliably under a greater range of conditions than other varieties. Matures in 65-70 days.
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Yucaipa Lettuce
A large, firm Iceberg variety of lettuce. Even, tight heads that are non-bitter and bolt resistant.
Excellent green leaves with a crisp texture. Yucaipa is heat and tipburn tolerant.
A very popular head lettuce among commercial growers. Maturity about 70 days.
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USA Gardener uses Veseys seeds.
Vegetables listed on this page can be purchased at Veseys Seeds & Bulbs
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There are some varieties of Heat Resistant head lettuce. If you
live in a climate with hot summers, check with your local garden
shop or online for availability.
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