Organic Lettuce Growing Tips
How to Grow Lettuce in an Organic Garden
Growing lettuce without pesticides and chemicals is fairly easy. Here's how to grow lettuce using organic methods.
About Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool season crop that is best grown in the spring and fall. However, new varieties that are cold and heat tolerant make it possible to grow lettuce year round in most places. There are several types of lettuces with a range of colors, textures, and shapes that include head and leaf types such as iceberg, romaine, butter head and mesclun mixes.
Tips for Growing Organic Lettuce
- Lettuce grows quickly. Plan succession plantings about 1 to 3 weeks apart, depending on how often it is consumed or sold. This will provide a steady supply of fresh lettuce.
- Lettuce has shallow roots, so the soil must hold moisture well, yet have good drainage. Amend sandy soils with compost and use mulch.
- Lettuce grows quickly. Plan succession plantings about 1 to 3 weeks apart, depending on how often it is consumed or sold.
- Lettuce can be transplanted. Start seeds inside about 4 weeks before the last frost, then transplant outside in a cold frame or under row covers.
- For large heads of lettuce plant seeds or transplants 9 to 12 inches apart. For baby lettuce mixes, sow seeds closely and cut young.
- For summer sowings, plant lettuce in an area that receives partial shade in the afternoon so that the lettuce stays cool.
- Lettuce becomes bitter when it bolts and flowers. Pick the lettuce before this happens.
Organic Lettuce Growing Facts
Planting site: Lettuce needs full sun to partial shade; cool, loose soil that drains well yet holds moisture; and the soil PH should be between 6.0 to 7.0.
When to plant: Transplant or sow lettuce in the spring when the soil can be worked shortly before the last frost date. Lettuce seed will germinate at 35 F, but optimum germination is 70 to 75 F. If the plants are sufficiently hardened, they will withstand slight freezing. Succession plant every 1 to 3 weeks.
Spacing: Space lettuce 1 inch apart for baby leaf mixes and up to 12 inches apart for large heads. Sow lettuce seeds 1/8 inch deep.
Germination: Lettuce seeds take about 7 to 10 days to germinate.
Care: Keep lettuce moist and cool by using mulch. Deter pest insects with row covers, beneficial insects, and approved organic sprays. Fertilize with fish emulsion or seaweed every 2 weeks.
Harvesting: Cut entire heads at the base of the plant. For cut-and come-again harvest of other varieties, just harvest the outer leaves.
Days to Harvest: 45 to 85 for heads, 30 days for baby leaf types.
Possible Problems: Slugs, pest insects, tip burn, hot weather.
