How We Plant Lettuce

Lettuce likes cool, wet weather, even down to 45 degrees F, and can even withstand light frost. They seem to grow best at temperatures between 60 to 65 degrees F, but much above 75 degrees F, most cultivars grow poorly. To prevent bolting (going to seed) you must try to shade the lettuce when temperatures begin to rise. Lettuce responds well to having its leaves sprinkled with water, and don’t ever allow the soil to dry out.

We have tried to grow iceberg type lettuce, but have not had much luck. The rabbits love lettuce, being the bait we use in the rabbit trap to catch them. If a rabbit gets into the garden, it always seems to go straight to the lettuce! Those pesky rabbits!

Since both Robin and Bill have just recently retired, we have not had a chance to grow, and eat, numerous varieties of lettuce, a situation we hope to correct in the future. Until then, we have been making due with just growing a variety or two of leaf lettuce.

To plant, about 5 weeks before the last spring frost, plant the lettuce in the outdoor garden. First cut a 12” slit in the plastic and dig a very shallow trench, about 1/4” deep. Scatter the small lettuce seeds along the trench lightly and cover with soil. Water lightly. When the seedlings emerge and are about 2” tall, thin so that you have one plant every 4” to 6” or so.