Popular Varieties:
Good news! There are many varieties of Lettuce. They are separated into two basic groups:
Head Lettuce- This group's leaves form into a ball or head as it grows and matures. It also includes varieties which head or bunch up, balled "Loose-head". Members of this groups include:
Iceberg- The king of lettuces
Romaine
Bibb
Buttercrunch or Butterhead
Leaf Lettuce- Members of this group have leaves which make little or no attempt to group or bunch together. They commonly called "loose leaf".
Days to Maturity:
Loose leaf varieties can be ready to begin cutting in as little as three weeks. Varieties which form loose or tight heads need more time, up to several weeks. Because there are so many varieties, check the information on the seed packet for more specific growing times.
Sowing Lettuce Seeds:
Lettuce seeds are very fine. Plant in rows, spreading the seeds as thinly as possible. No matter how hard you try, they are so difficult to disperse, that thinning of the seedlings is must. You can purchase seed tapes of some of the more popular varieties which will space them properly. While it costs more, it is also a time saver.Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of loose soil or starting mixture.
You can also plant indoors in pots. This works well for bunching or heading types of lettuces, and will give your seedlings a more controlled environment . Given a lot of direct sunlight, it also results in a strong seedling. When transplanting in the garden, you can give it the proper spacing.
Succession planting is a common and useful practice. Lettuce are perfect candidates for succession planting. Plant small rows or sections of your garden with lettuces every week to ten days. This will provide a continuous harvest. Vary the types you plant to afford variety over the season.
Whether sowing indoors or out, you will likely want to transplant your seedlings with the proper spacing for full development without crowding. Lettuce likes cool weather and lots of moisture. Transplanting should only be done in cool, preferably cloudy weather. If the weather is hot and sunny, we recommend putting off transplanting if possible. If this is not possible, then transplant in the evening. Water thoroughly and every day after, unless it rains, for about a week.
The key to growing crisp, sweet lettuce, is to get it growing at a fast pace. That means plenty of water, and a healthy dose of fertilizer.
Tip: When transplanting lettuce in hot weather, place some form of sun shade over the plant for a couple of days. Any makeshift shade will do.
Harvesting:
Pick lettuces as soon as it is big enough to use. On loose-headed varieties, the outer leaves can be picked and the inner leaves allowed to grow. Or, use the plants pulled while thinning. Use a sharp knife or scissors. Loose leaf varieties will grow back after cutting.
Insects and Pests:
Bunnies like lettuce. Got bunnies!? Then, a rabbit fence is in your future.
Insects can become a real problem, too. Lettuce is delicate, and can absorb many insecticides. If you want or need to use insecticides, look for brands that are less harmful to you and the environment. We like to avoid insecticides on leafy vegetables wherever possible. We suggest organic sprays and a willingness to give up some of the harvest to insects versus using pesticides. After all, one of the reasons most of us have gardens is to avoid the pesticides.
Note: We do not recommend insecticides at all for loose leaf lettuce varieties.
Slugs are a real problem for all types of lettuces. There are a variety of control methods. More on Slugs and snails.
Disease:
Lettuce will wilt and rot in hot, humid weather. The plant will also bolt or go to seed stage in higher heat. Heading or bunching types are more susceptible to rotting and bolting. Leaf types grow and mature quickly, and have fewer disease problems.
Hardiness:
All forms of lettuce thrive in cooler weather, with moderate moisture. Lettuce does not like mid-summer heat, or dry conditions. Many gardeners will plant a crop for spring and early summer harvest, leaving the mid summer months to the tomatoes and the corn. Then, as the late summer heat begins to wane, they plant a new lettuce crop for a fall harvest.
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