Lettuce is one of the easiest crops to grow and growing lettuce from seed is so economical. A packet of lettuce seeds is generally less than $2.30 and contains hundreds of seeds. I have been growing lettuce from seed in my raised beds and containers for years; you can even plant it amongst your flower beds for added visual interest as well.
The Best Varieties to Grow
I generally plant the following varieties and have had very good luck:
- Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce
- Buttercrunch Butterhead Lettuce
- Parris Island Cos Romaine Lettuce
- Little Gem Romaine Lettuce
Every year I grow those favorites and experiment with a few other varieties as well. You can also buy seed packets with a variety mix of salad greens.
How to Sow Lettuce Seeds
You can direct sow lettuce seeds outside 2-4 weeks before your average last frost or when the soil temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit; if your soil is warmer in the 60 – 70 degree range you’ll get even faster germination.
I sow seeds on the surface and lightly cover with soil. The seeds need to be planted no deeper than 1/8″; not too deep so that they don’t receive light, but deep enough that they won’t wash away. I plant a seed every 2″ to 3″ and then thin as needed.
Lightly water after sowing and keep the soil moist. For a continuous harvest, successively sow the seeds every 2 to 3 weeks. Lettuce generally begins to bolt (goes to seed) when the day time temperature is over 80 degrees for several days. In zone 9A, I generally stop growing lettuce around April, because our day time temperatures are too high. Shade cloth can help to extend the lettuce growing season in warmer climates.
How to Harvest Lettuce
You can cut off individual leaves at any time. The plant will keep growing. You can also cut the “head” of lettuce when it’s full-grown, but cut it about 1/4″ – 1/2″ above the ground, leaving the roots and base of the lettuce in the ground. Your lettuce will keep growing more leaves for another harvest.
