Plant Name: Lettuce
| Sunlight(?) | Full sun to partial shade (6-8 hours) |
| Days To Maturity(?) | 45-100 |
| Planting Season(?) | Spring, Fall |
| Temperature(?) | 60-65°F (15-18°C) |
| Seeds Or Seedlings(?) | Both can be used (Buy Seeds) |
| Container Size(?) | 1-2 gallon (6-8 inch) (Buy Now) |
| Support Needed(?) | No |
| Potting Soil(?) | Regular (Buy Now) |
| Watering Needs(?) | Regular |
| Fertilizer(?) | Nitrogen-rich (Buy Now) |
| Pests(?) | Aphids, thrips, slugs, grasshoppers, caterpillars |
| Diseases(?) | Downy Mildew, Lettuce Mosaic Virus, Leaf Drop |
How To Grow
- Container Selection: Choose a shallow container with good drainage holes. A width of 12-18 inches and a depth of 6-8 inches is suitable for lettuce.
- Soil: Fill the container with well-draining potting mix or a mix of potting soil and compost.
- Variety Selection: Select lettuce varieties suited for container growing, such as loose-leaf lettuces (e.g., Buttercrunch, Red Sails) or compact varieties (e.g., Tom Thumb, Little Gem).
- Location: Place the container in a location with partial shade, especially during hot summer months. Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures.
- Planting: Sow lettuce seeds directly into the container, covering them lightly with soil. Alternatively, transplant seedlings, spacing them according to the variety’s recommendations.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water lettuce regularly, especially during dry spells, to prevent bitterness and bolting (premature flowering).
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the lettuce plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing: Lettuce doesn’t require heavy feeding, but you can fertilize lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
- Harvesting: Harvest lettuce leaves when they reach the desired size, usually around 4-6 inches long. Cut leaves with scissors, leaving the plant to continue growing for multiple harvests.
- Succession Planting: To extend your harvest, sow seeds or transplant new seedlings every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season.
Check out our detailed guide to grow lettuce in a container.
Fact Checked, Written, and Published by Kevin Rodrigues
Kevin is the founder of Gardening Mentor, a website that aims to teach people to grow their own food in a limited space. As a self-taught gardener, Kevin has spent several years growing plants and creating gardening content on the website. He is certified in Home Horticulture and Organic Gardening from Oregon State University. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Gardening from Mumbai University.
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