Lettuce

What you'll need:

Lettuce seeds (you can find these at most garden centers or online)

A pot (about 6-8 inches deep) or a small patch in your garden

Light, well-draining soil (lettuce doesn’t like heavy, soggy soil)

Some basic fertilizer (look for something labeled "vegetable" or "leafy greens")

When to start:

Lettuce is cool weather-loving, so spring and fall are the best times to grow it. You can even plant it in early summer if you live in cooler regions. Avoid planting during the hottest months of summer because lettuce tends to “bolt” (flower and go to seed) when it gets too hot.

Finding a good spot:

Lettuce likes part shade to full sun, but not too much heat. If you’re growing it in pots, place them somewhere that gets a few hours of morning sunlight but has some shade in the afternoon. If you’re planting in the ground, choose a spot where larger plants won’t block all the light.

Tip: Start with loose, crumbly soil and mix in a little compost if you have it — lettuce loves rich soil!

1. Prepare the soil: If you're using a pot, fill it about ¾ full with soil. In the ground, loosen the top layer of soil and remove any weeds or rocks.
2. Sow the seeds: Sprinkle the tiny lettuce seeds over the soil surface, spacing them about an inch apart. Don’t bury them too deep—just cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil (no more than ¼ inch).
3. Water gently: Use a watering can or a spray bottle to moisten the soil without washing away the seeds. The soil should feel damp but not soaking wet.
4. Wait for sprouts: Keep the soil consistently moist, and within 7-10 days, you’ll start seeing little green sprouts popping up!

If you planted densely: Once the seedlings grow a couple of inches tall, thin them out by gently pulling out weaker plants, leaving about 4-6 inches between each lettuce plant. This gives them enough room to grow big and healthy.

Tip: If you want a continuous harvest, plant a few new seeds every two weeks. This way, you’ll always have fresh lettuce ready to pick!

Watering:

• Lettuce needs consistent moisture! Aim to water every other day or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Water gently around the base of the plants—try not to splash water on the leaves because it can encourage rot or disease.

Feeding:

• About two weeks after planting, sprinkle a bit of vegetable fertilizer around the plants, following the instructions on the package.
• Lettuce grows fast, so a light feeding every three weeks helps keep it healthy and leafy.

Sunlight:

• Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so if it’s getting too hot, you can give it some shade in the afternoon. You can use a shade cloth or even move potted lettuce to a shadier spot.

Bolting prevention:

• If you notice your lettuce starting to flower (this is called bolting), it means it's getting too hot. You can cut off the flower stalks to slow this down, but it’s better to harvest your lettuce before it bolts because it can turn bitter afterward.

Tip: Mulching around your lettuce (using straw or grass clippings) helps keep the soil cool and moist, which lettuce really appreciates.

When to harvest:

• Depending on the variety, you can start harvesting baby lettuce leaves as soon as they’re a few inches tall (usually 3-4 weeks after planting).
• For full-sized heads of lettuce, wait until the plant looks nice and full, usually around 6-8 weeks after planting.

How to harvest:

• You can either pick individual leaves from the outside of the plant or cut the whole head off at the base with scissors or a knife.
• If you just take a few outer leaves, the plant will keep growing, giving you multiple harvests from the same plant.
• Always harvest in the morning when the leaves are crisp and full of water.

Storage tips:

• Fresh lettuce keeps best in the fridge. Wash it right before you eat it to keep it fresh longer.
• If you end up with more lettuce than you can eat, you can store cleaned leaves in a sealed container or plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

Tip: Harvest regularly! Lettuce grows quickly, and picking often encourages the plant to produce more leaves.

Q: My lettuce leaves look yellow or pale. What's wrong?

A: Yellow leaves could mean your lettuce isn’t getting enough nutrients. Try adding a bit of fertilizer or compost around the base of the plant. It might also be due to too much water—make sure the soil isn't staying soggy.

Q: Why is my lettuce turning bitter?

A: Bitterness happens when lettuce bolts (starts flowering) due to high temperatures. To prevent this, try planting lettuce in partial shade or during cooler seasons. Once it bolts, it's best to pull it out and replant.

Q: Can I grow lettuce indoors?

A: Yes! Lettuce grows well indoors as long as it gets enough light. Place it near a sunny window or use grow lights. Just make sure the soil stays moist and the air isn’t too dry.

Q: How do I stop pests from eating my lettuce?

A: Common pests like slugs or aphids can munch on lettuce. You can handpick slugs or set up small beer traps. For aphids, spray the leaves with a mix of water and a drop of dish soap. Companion planting with herbs like dill or cilantro can help deter pests naturally.

Q: How close together can I plant lettuce?

A: You can start by planting seeds close together, but as they grow, thin them out to leave about 4-6 inches between plants. This gives each lettuce enough space to grow without competing for nutrients.