Tall Lettuce

What you'll need:

Tall lettuce seeds (you can find them at garden centers or online)

A pot (at least 8 inches deep) or a small patch in your garden

Regular potting soil or garden soil (make sure it's loose and drains well)

A watering can or spray bottle

• A bright spot that gets partial shade

When to start:

Tall lettuce is pretty easygoing and can grow in cooler weather, so you can plant it in early spring or even late summer if the weather isn't too hot. If you're planting in a warmer climate, try to pick a spot where it gets some afternoon shade.

Finding a good spot:

Tall lettuce doesn’t like full sun all day long, especially in hot climates. It prefers a mix of sunlight and shade. If you’re planting in pots, you can move them around to follow the sun or shade as needed. In the ground, choose a spot with dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade.

If you have seeds:

1. Fill your pot or garden bed with loose soil.
2. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil, spacing them about 6-8 inches apart. You don't need to bury them too deep—just lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil.
3. Gently water the soil using a spray bottle or a watering can with a soft stream. You don't want to wash the seeds away.
4. Keep the soil moist but not soggy while you wait for the seeds to sprout, which usually takes about 7-10 days.

If you already have small seedlings:

1. Dig a small hole in the soil, just big enough to fit the root ball of the seedling.
2. Place the seedling in the hole, making sure the roots are covered with soil.
3. Lightly press the soil around the base of the plant to keep it steady.
4. Water it right after planting.

Planting tips:

• Tall lettuce grows, well, tall! So make sure there’s enough space between plants (about 8-10 inches) so they don’t crowd each other.
• If you’re planting in a pot, one or two plants per pot is plenty since they’ll grow upward.

Watering:

• Tall lettuce likes moist soil but doesn’t like sitting in water. Check the soil every couple of days by sticking your finger into it—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Water in the morning so the leaves have time to dry off before night. Wet leaves overnight can invite diseases.

Feeding time:

• About 2-3 weeks after planting, give your tall lettuce a little boost with some vegetable fertilizer. Mix it according to the instructions on the package, and sprinkle it around the base of the plant.
• Don’t over-fertilize! Too much can cause the leaves to become tough.

Sunlight and temperature:

• Tall lettuce enjoys cool weather. If it gets too hot (above 80°F/27°C), the plant may "bolt," meaning it will start producing flowers and seeds instead of tasty leaves.
• If you’re in a warm area, give your lettuce some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Minor problem solving:

• Yellow leaves? This could mean you're overwatering. Let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings.
• Leaves tasting bitter? This might happen if the plant is exposed to too much heat or direct sunlight. Try shading it a bit more.
• Pests nibbling? Check for small bugs like aphids. Spray them off with water or use an organic insecticidal soap.

When to harvest:

• Tall lettuce is ready to harvest when the leaves are big enough to eat—usually about 50-60 days after planting.
• You can pick individual leaves from the outside of the plant, or wait until the whole plant has grown tall and harvest it all at once.
• For the best flavor, pick the leaves in the morning when they’re crisp and full of moisture.

How to harvest:

• Use clean scissors or your fingers to snip off the outer leaves first. This way, the plant keeps growing new leaves from the center.
• If you want to harvest the whole plant, cut it at the base, leaving a couple of inches of stem above the soil. Sometimes it will regrow!

After harvesting:

• Wash the leaves thoroughly before eating.
• Store extra leaves in a plastic bag in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
• If you’ve harvested a lot, you can even freeze some of the leaves for smoothies or soups later.

Q: My tall lettuce is flowering—what should I do?

A: When lettuce starts flowering, it means it’s “bolting,” which often happens in hot weather. The leaves may taste bitter after this, so it’s best to harvest what you can before it goes to seed. To prevent bolting, grow lettuce in cooler weather or provide shade during heatwaves.

Q: Can I grow tall lettuce indoors?

A: Yes! As long as you have a sunny windowsill or grow lights, tall lettuce can thrive indoors. Just make sure it gets at least 4-6 hours of light each day and keep the soil moist.

Q: How do I know if my lettuce is getting too much sun?

A: If the leaves start to look pale or develop brown edges, it might be getting too much direct sunlight. Move it to a shadier spot or provide some shade during the hottest part of the day.

Q: Why are my lettuce leaves so small?

A: Small leaves can happen if the plant is too crowded or isn’t getting enough nutrients. Make sure there’s enough space between plants and feed them with a little fertilizer every few weeks.

Q: Can I save seeds from my tall lettuce?

A: Absolutely! Once the plant flowers and produces seeds, you can collect the seeds, dry them, and store them for next season. Just make sure to save seeds from healthy plants to ensure strong future crops.