Lettuce

Lettuce is a fast-growing, shallow-rooted crop that thrives in rich, well-fed soil. While it doesn’t need heavy feeding like tomatoes or corn, the right fertilizer at the right time can make all the difference in leaf size, color, texture, and taste. After more than 30 years of growing lettuce in raised beds, containers, and under…

Watering is one of the most important factors in growing healthy, flavorful lettuce. Too little water and your lettuce will become bitter and bolt early. Too much water and you risk root rot or disease. After more than 30 years of growing lettuce in raised beds, containers, and even indoors, I’ve learned that consistent, moderate…

Thinning and spacing lettuce might seem like minor steps, but they can make a major difference in how your lettuce grows, how it tastes, and how much you can harvest. In more than 30 years of growing lettuce—from baby greens to full-size romaine heads—I’ve seen firsthand how proper spacing leads to healthier plants, better airflow,…

Lettuce is one of the easiest and fastest-growing vegetables you can sow directly in the garden. As a gardener with more than 30 years of hands-on experience growing lettuce in raised beds, mounded rows, and containers, I’ve found direct sowing to be a time-saving, space-efficient method that works beautifully in cool weather. Direct sowing is…

Starting lettuce indoors is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to get a head start on your salad garden. As a gardener with more than 30 years of hands-on experience growing lettuce in raised beds, containers, and seed trays, I’ve learned that starting lettuce indoors increases germination success, helps you beat the heat…