LETTUCE
Soil type
Loamy soil is best for lettuce because it is a balanced combination of
sand, silt, and clay, offering excellent drainage while retaining enough
moisture for plant roots. It is rich in organic matter and provides
nutrients for healthy lettuce growth.
Land preparation
Till the soil and apply compost or well-rotted manure one week before
transplanting or direct seeding. Deep chisel the land to facilitate good
internal drainage and preclude detrimental salt accumulation in the soil
profile. The soil should be loose and drain well so that it is moist
without staying soggy.
Planting and Spacing
Choose a sunny area to plant lettuce as this is ideal for the best growth.
They should get at least 6 hours of sun per day (lettuce will still grow if
given less hours of sun).
Sow lettuce seeds directly into garden beds or pots, or in seedling trays
for transplanting once they develop 3–4 leaves. Barely cover the seeds
with soil, and then water. Head lettuce should be planted 12 inches
apart in a row with each row 12-18 inches apart.
Time of planting
The first thing you need to know about how to grow lettuce is when it
should be planted. Lettuce grows best in temperatures between 60 - 70
degrees Fahrenheit. Known predominantly as a spring and fall crop. You
can begin growing most varieties in the early spring until late summer.
Fertilizer application
Lettuce can be fertilized in a variety of ways, including top-dressing and
side-dressing.
Top dressing: Scatter a balanced fertilizer around the base of the plant.
Being careful not to let the granules touch the leaves. This technique
can be used as a mid-season nutrient boost.
Side dressing: applying fertilizer around the sides of the plants or along
the rows, about 4-6 inches away from the plants. This helps the roots to
absorb nutrients more efficiently without direct contact that could
harm the plant.
Weed control
Weed control for lettuce can be achieved through the following
methods:
Consider planting configurations such as 40-inch wide beds with
two seed lines or 80-inch wide beds with 5 to 6 seed line
Physically remove weeds from the lettuce crop.
Use herbicides for managing large infestations.
Notify local authorities if you see an infestation of water lettuce.
Pest problem and control
Caterpillars are the most troublesome field pests of lettuce. Cutworms,
whiteflies, and slugs can also affect this crop.
Ways to control pests that affect lettuce:
Hand-picking worms and other pests from lettuce
Use organic pesticides like BTK (bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki).
BTK is a naturally occurring microorganism that sickens and kills
caterpillars.
Use traps: the usage of pheromone traps can attract male pests,
or yellow sticky traps to attract flying insects. During peak
production, check traps more often.
Use barriers: cover plants with insect netting or floating row
covers from when they are young. You can also place cardboard
collars around seedlings to keep out cutworms or put toothpicks
around the stem to prevent worms from wrapping around them.
Disease problem and control
Lettuce can be affected by many diseases including root diseases and
foliar diseases:
Root diseases: can be caused by over-watering or planting in poorly
drained soil.
Foliar diseases: can include bacterial leaf spot, downy mildew, lettuce
drop, and gray mold.
Strategies for managing lettuce diseases:
Water management: avoid over-watering, especially when the plants
start to cover most of the bed. You can also try subsurface drip
irrigation, which can reduce spore formation and lettuce drop.
Chemical control: You can use fungicides for foliar diseases, fixed
copper compounds for bacterial leaf spot, insecticides and herbicides
for aphids, thrips, and weeds.
Maturity period
The maturity period for lettuce varies depending on the variety and
growing conditions.
Most varieties take an average of 45-55 days from seed to
maturity.
Romaine lettuce generally matures in 75-85 days.
Crisphead lettuces take 70-100 days to mature.
Starting with baby plants instead of seeds reduces the
maturation period by 10-14 days.
Some varieties can be harvested as microgreens even earlier.
Harvesting
Harvest in the morning to keep leaves fresh and minimize wilting. You
can harvest lettuce before it bolts or when the outer leaves of head
lettuce start to yellow and wilt.
Leaf lettuce: Use clean shears to clip leaves off near the stem about an
inch and a half above the base. Approach the plant from the side. You
can harvest a few leaves from each head starting with the older leaves
on the outside.
Head lettuce: Use a clean, sharp knife to make a clean cut across the
stalk as close to the soil as possible. Remove any damaged outer leaves
until you have a clean center head.
After harvesting be sure to wash lettuce thoroughly of dirt and debris
between the leaves. You can store them in a plastic bag or container in
the refrigerator.
Disposal and utilization of the crop
When disposing of lettuce, consider composting it to enrich your garden
soil, or place it in your green waste bin if your municipality offers such a
service. For those with livestock, lettuce scraps can be used as feed. In
terms of utilization, fresh lettuce is versatile in the kitchen, ideal for
salads, sandwiches, and wraps, or even added to smoothies for extra
nutrition. Although less common, lettuce can also be cooked in dishes
like stir-fries or soups. If you have an excess, blanching and freezing
lettuce is a practical option, though it's generally best suited for cooked
recipes after freezing.
