Description: 800+TOM THUMB LEAF LETTUCE SEEDS (1 gram) Growing and Harvesting Guide for Lettuce Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a cool-season leafy green that’s easy to grow, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started with growing and harvesting lettuce. Growing Lettuce 1. Choosing the Right Variety: Head Lettuce: Includes butterhead (e.g., Buttercrunch) and crisphead (e.g., Iceberg).Leaf Lettuce: Includes loose-leaf varieties (e.g., Red Romaine or Green Leaf).Romaine: Known for its tall, sturdy leaves (e.g., Cos).Consider your climate and preferences when selecting varieties. 2. Ideal Planting Time: Spring: 2-4 weeks before the last frost date.Fall: 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.In mild climates, lettuce can also be grown in winter. 3. Location and Soil Requirements: Sunlight: Lettuce prefers full sun (6-8 hours), but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot weather.Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Add organic matter or compost to enhance fertility and drainage. 4. Seed Starting: Direct Sow: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep directly into the garden bed, 12 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart.Transplanting: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have 2-4 true leaves and after hardening them off for about a week. 5. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather. Aim for about 1-1.5 inches of water per week.Use mulch (e.g., straw, grass clippings) to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. 6. Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer when planting, and side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (such as fish emulsion) during the growing season. 7. Pest and Disease Management: Common pests: Aphids, slugs, and snails. Control with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or hand-picking.Diseases: Watch for downy mildew and lettuce drop. Practice crop rotation and ensure good air circulation to minimize the risk. 8. Thinning: Once seedlings have grown a couple of true leaves, thin them to avoid overcrowding. Space them 6-12 inches apart depending on the variety. Harvesting Lettuce 1. Timing: Leaf lettuce can be harvested at any stage, as soon as the leaves are large enough to eat (usually around 30 days after planting).Head lettuce typically takes 60-80 days to mature, depending on the variety. 2. How to Harvest: For leaf lettuce: Use scissors or a knife to cut individual leaves, snipping them off about an inch above the soil, which allows the plant to continue producing.For head lettuce: Hold the base and cut the head off at the soil line when it's firm and fully formed. 3. Best Time to Harvest: Harvest in the morning when temperatures are cooler, which can help maintain crispness and flavor. 4. Post-Harvest Care: Rinse harvested lettuce leaves in cold water to remove dirt. Spin-dry or pat dry with a towel.Store in a breathable bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to a week. 5. Succession Planting: To ensure continuous harvest, plant new lettuce seeds every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season. Additional Tips: Keep an eye on growing temperatures. If it gets too hot, lettuce can bolt (flower), leading to bitter leaves.Interplant lettuce with slower-growing vegetables (like tomatoes) for efficient use of space.Experiment with different varieties and colors for visual interest and a variety of flavors. By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to grow a healthy and delicious crop of lettuce. Enjoy your gardening! As a seller, I understand that there may be some confusion when it comes to the terms and conditions of shipping and delivery. In order to provide clarity, I would like to address a few important points: 1. 3 business day shipping: We strive to ship out your order within three business days from the date of purchase. This means that weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are not considered business days, so please keep this in mind when estimating your delivery time. 2. No tracking on orders under $16: Due to the rising costs of delivery, we regretfully cannot provide tracking information for orders under $16. This allows us to keep our prices competitive while still offering reliable shipping services. 3. Estimated delivery dates: While we make every effort to provide accurate estimated delivery dates, they should be viewed as approximations. Various factors, such as unforeseen delays in transit, may impact the actual delivery date. 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Price: 1.96 USD
Location: Berwyn, Illinois
End Time: 2024-10-08T08:43:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Climate: all
Common Name: Lettuce
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Color: Black
Growth Habit: Clumping
MPN: n/a
Brand: Unbranded
Season of Interest: Spring
Life Cycle: Annual
Type: Vegetable Seeds
Watering: Medium
Genus: Lactuca
Sunlight: Full Sun
Features: Edible
Cultivating Difficulty: Easy
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States