{"id":2459,"date":"2019-06-10T03:36:43","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T03:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2459"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:30:17","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:30:17","slug":"14-tips-on-how-to-plant-harvest-lettuce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-tips-on-how-to-plant-harvest-lettuce\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Tips on How to Plant & Harvest Lettuce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lettuce is a fun plant to grow, and it can be used in a variety of different recipes and dishes. If you eat a lot of lettuce, you may find that it\u2019s easier and more affordable to grow it yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lettuce plants can be harvested more than once so a small packet of seeds or a few seedlings can give you plenty of lettuce during the season. Lettuce also does well in cooler weather, so when other plants have died or can\u2019t be grown, your lettuce will be thriving. Of course, there are some things that you can do to ensure that your lettuce plants stay healthy and grow properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to plants and harvest lettuce successfully, keep these tips in mind when you are ready to start gardening. Lettuce is a hardy plant that grows well in most conditions, but a little extra care and effort can go a long way and give you more plants to harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sew Densely <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people will tell you to sew your lettuce in a way that allows plenty of space between the plants. This will allow them to grow larger, but it isn\u2019t really necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you pay close attention to your plants, you can grow them close together, and trim back the leaves or harvest them as they grow. This will allow your lettuce plants to continue to grow and let you get more than one harvest from each plant. If you don\u2019t have a lot of space, you can still make the most of it. You do need to be careful not to overcrowd the plants, and try to space them evenly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget about trimming them, or your plants will stop growing and become more likely to become diseased. You should at least space them six inches apart, but no more than 18 inches apart for the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Multiple Harvests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t think that you can only harvest each plant once. If you do it right, you can get several harvests out of one plant. You want to harvest the leaves when they are ready but leave enough on the plant to protect it and encourage new growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New leaves will appear, and you can harvest them too. Instead of just taking off all the leaves at once, enjoy your lettuce longer and get more out of it. As long as you continue to care for the base plant, you can get several harvests from it. Just make sure you are giving the leaves a chance to grow back before you harvest the next set of leaves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great way to make your lettuce go further and get the most for your money. It also reduces waste and allows you to produce healthier and heartier plants each time you harvest them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Save Your Seeds<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have seeds left from your lettuce plant, you should save them. They can be replanted and used to grow new plants. A lot of people don\u2019t realize that they can use their seeds over again and throw them away or just leave them to rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of going out and buying new lettuce plants or trying to grow new plants from seeds you buy in the store. Just collect the seeds and move them to a shallow pan or plate. Allow them to dry in the air to remove anything around them that may cause them to stay wet or rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also shake the flowers of the lettuce plant directly over a pan or plate to collect them and then place them in a dry area to dry out. If you plan to store the seeds, you should label them and store them in an area that stays dry and cool at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Use Good Soil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The soil you use can make or break your plants, and lettuce is no exception. Lettuce isn\u2019t a picky plant and typically grows well in most conditions. Still, if you want the best results, you should make sure your lettuce is planted in the best soil possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have previously grown lettuce in the soil, don\u2019t use it for new plants. You need to move them to different soil. You should also make sure the soil you use is moist and full of nutrients. The nutrients give your lettuce the boost it needs to grow strong, and the moist soil will ensure it doesn\u2019t get too dry and the roots don\u2019t rot quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also consider adding fertilizer to the soil to increase the potassium and nitrogen in the soil. If you do decide to use fertilizer, you will need to monitor the PH levels to make sure they are appropriate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Water Often<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your lettuce plant needs plenty of water, but you can overwater them. You need to make sure the soil is moist at all times. If your lettuce dries out, it will easily burn in the sun and taste bad. If you want your lettuce to have crisp and tasty leaves, you need to add a lot of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are in an area that has a decent amount of rainfall, you may be able to water your lettuce less often. You should check on your lettuce plants often and check the soil to make sure it\u2019s moist and not to dry. If the lettuce leaves start to look brown or the leaves seem to look like they are losing their color, they may need more water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful not to overwater them because it can lead to bottom rot and ruin your plants. You can also create an irrigation system that keeps the plants perfectly moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Trim Back Leaves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can trim back the leaves of your lettuce plants to promote growth and to make the most of the plants. If the leaves are healthy when you trim them back, you can harvest them and use them in your favorite recipes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also trim them back if you notice they are starting to burn or look like they may not be healthy. If you accidentally planted the lettuce seed or seedlings to close together, you may need to cut back the leaves often to ensure that the plants can all grow properly. If you think the lettuce leaves may be diseased or burnt, it\u2019s important to remove them before the problem spreads to other leaves or even to other plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you use scissors or trimmers that have been sterilized to prevent the spread of disease from one plant to another, even if you don\u2019t see any signs of disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Check For Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people enjoy planting lettuce and harvesting it because it\u2019s such a hardy plant and easy to grow. That doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s not susceptible to certain diseases. They can suffer from bottom rot, which can do just what its name suggests, and cause the lettuce to rot from the bottom up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another common disease that affects lettuce is tip burn. This causes the tips of the lettuce leaves to burn and can affect the entire plant and make it taste bad. There are a few things you can do to prevent diseases such as rotating the plants each planting season and watering them properly. Harvesting the lettuce in a timely manner will also help to keep it disease-free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your plants do show signs of disease, remove the dead leaves or diseased plants, so the disease doesn\u2019t spread to other healthy ones. In some cases, you may need to remove all the plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Harvest Early<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people are afraid of harvesting their crops too soon and taking the change of ruining them. With Lettuce, you don\u2019t\u2019 want to make the mistake of harvesting it too late. The longer you wait, the worst the lettuce will taste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As lettuce ages, it gets more bitter. You want to harvest your lettuce when it\u2019s at its peak and before it bolts. One of the best ways to tell if your lettuce is ready to harvest is to pull off some of the leaves and taste them. If they taste good, you can harvest it and use it as desired. If you would prefer it taste a little more bitter or stronger, leave it another day or two and try again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also taste best when harvested in the morning and before the sun hits them. This will ensure that they are crisp and not dry or wilted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Lettuce Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As summer approaches and your lettuce starts to bear leaves, it suddenly captures plenty of attention from other bugs and animals. Fresh lettuce is a treat for rodents and deer, and hundreds of varieties of insects. Here\u2019s what to expect when inspecting your vegetable garden, and what kind of common pests you\u2019ll find lurking around your lettuce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aphids \u2013 These pests present the most significant threat to growers. Aphids suck the water from the leaves of the plant, leaving yellow rings around feeding sites. As they feed, aphids weaken the plant’s immune response, inviting diseases to infect your lettuce. As they feed, they deposit honeydew on the leaves, attracting sooty mold which devastates the crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only semi-effective method of removing aphids is with neem oil, and you run the risk of burning your lettuce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caterpillars and Leafminers are also a problem, but you can control these populations with neem. Check around your plants for slugs and snails daily when the leaves are getting close to harvest date.
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10. Lettuce Varieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Which lettuce best suits your garden? Select one or more of these popular varieties for your veggie patch or greenhouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaf Lettuce \u2013 This species includes the varieties of oak, green, and red lettuce. Leaves branch in multiple stalks and do not produce ahead. This variety is famous for \u2018baby lettuce\u201d products in grocery stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romaine Lettuce \u2013 With a slightly bitter taste, and long, curling leaves, and sweet centers, romaine lettuce is crunchy and full of flavor. A favorite in salads and sandwiches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iceberg Lettuce \u2013 Hearty and crisp, this refreshing lettuce doesn\u2019t have as much flavor as the previous types mentioned. However, the iceberg has an outstanding crunch that makes it suitable for including in garden salads. When left unwashed in the crisper drawer of your fridge, this lettuce can last for up to 2-weeks after harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterhead Lettuce \u2013 These varieties include Bibb and Boston lettuce, featuring small heads that are excellent for cooking, rather than eating raw. Bibb heads are about the size of a fist, and they are usually twice the price of iceberg lettuce when buying them at the store, making them the most expensive on the market.
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11. Growing in Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When strapped for space around your home, you can grow lettuce in containers. We like growing in pots or containers for a few reasons. First, it\u2019s easy to control pests and disease in the plants, and second \u2013 we can do it right outside out windowsill, there\u2019s no need for a patio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Search online for windowsill containers, and you\u2019ll find plenty of options available. These containers attach to the inside of your window frame, allowing you to suspend the garden above the ground. Using this method, you limit the number of bugs that can infest your crop. Diseases are also less common in container gardens as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butterhead and leaf varieties of lettuce do well in container gardens, and they are easy to maintain as well. You don\u2019t have to worry about aphids finding your plants, as long as no ants are hanging around on your walls. Ensure that your container drains well and has at least 12-inches of depth for the roots of the plants.
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12. Avoid Bolt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bolting is a lettuce gardener\u2019s worst nightmare. When this condition affects your garden, it results in the premature finishing of the plant. As a result, the lettuce rushes to produce seed in the hope of spreading it genetics into the soil for propagation in the following growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lettuce that experiences bolting develops a dry and woody or earthy taste. This phenomenon with the leaves occurs due to the plant drawing water and nutrients from the leaves to supply energy to its reproductive efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your garden starts to experience bolting, it could be as a result of a sudden increase in temperature due to a heatwave, or changes in the angle of sunlight hitting the hanging container garden during the peak sun hours of the day. The Boston and Bibb lettuce types, as well as the butterhead varieties, are more resistant to bolting, so plant these types if you live in warmer climates.
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13. Companion Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes time for planting your lettuce, the wise gardener takes advantage of companion plants. These flowers, herbs, and vegetables grow alongside your lettuce crop, providing it protection from pests and diseases. Companion planting is essential for any organic gardener looking to do everything they can to avoid treating plants with pesticides and fungicides that could ruin the viability of the crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant a row of marigolds around the edge of your garden; these flowers deter pests. Garlic and chives help to prevent insects as well. Other vegetables that do well alongside your lettuce are cucumbers, asparagus, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s important to note that there are some plants that you should never plant alongside lettuce. Avoid planting anything from the brassica family next to your lettuce cabbage kale, and other leafy greens compete for the same nutrients in the soil, resulting in limp lettuce with no flavor.  
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14. Storing Lettuce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After harvesting your lettuce, your storage options depending on the variety you have on hand. All leaf-type lettuces will perish within a week of picking, even with correct storage in the fridge. However, lettuce varieties with heads may keep for far longer, with some types lasting in the crisper drawer for up to 2-weeks after harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since lettuce is 95-percent water, it\u2019s a terrible vegetable to tray and freeze. However, it makes a fun experiment, to freeze it and see what happens. The result is limp lettuce that looks as terrible as it tastes. Store your lettuce in a lightly packed plastic Ziploc bag in the fridge, packing them together results in the leaves spoiling faster, so keep it loose and airy in the bag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only go to rinse your lettuce as you intend to eat it. Washing before storage will result in faster rotting, and the leaves will turn mushy overnight in the fridge.
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