Lettuce may take a little protection to get it going in the early spring, but, oh, it never tastes better than when it’s grown in the crisp spring air. Cool, wet springs are perfect lettuce growing weather. It won’t bolt and you’ll probably have time for 2-3 succession plantings.
Starting Lettuce
- Lettuce is a cool season crop and consequently is best grown in either spring or fall.
- However, lettuce likes a temperature around 70o to germinate, so early plantings should be started as plugs.
- Lettuce seeds need light to germinate. Just barely cover the seed with soil.
- After a couple of weeks check to see if the roots have branched out to the sides of the plug. If so, they are hardy enough to go in the ground.
- Don’t let the seedlings get too large before placing them out.
- If you have fertile soil, you shouldn’t need to feed lettuce plants, unless you plant the “cut and come again” varieties all summer. This is one crop where extra nitrogen can’t hurt, since all you want from the plant is leaf.
- Well-rotted manure or compost is ideal.
- The plants will need regular watering, as lettuce tends to have a shallow root system.
- Don’t keep the area damp or use mulch or you will be inviting slugs.
- A lettuce crop is ideal for the intensive gardening method which is getting a lot of attention lately, because it matures rapidly, can be planted quite closely and can be planted in succession if you choose seasonal varieties.
- Lettuce can even be grown in containers or used as a decorative border.
- If your lettuce looks like it’s about to bolt, pull it out of the ground, roots and all, and replant. This shock to its system will slow its growth. Keep well watered.
As soon as the heart has formed the lettuce plant is ready for cutting. Check for firmness by gently pressing down on the top of the heart area with the back of your hand. This is the safest way as squeezing may damage plant tissue and if the 
plant is not ready to pick some horrible diseases may enter, as discussed above.
If the plant is ready and left in the ground too long (5-7 days) the heart will start to grow upwards - a sure sign it is beginning to bolt. Cut them immediately for use or dig up and compost.
When cutting for use it is best to lift the whole plant, cut off the root and lower leaves, placing them on your compost heap - don`t leave on the bed to attract pests and diseases.
You should now be holding a delicious looking lettuce plant of some variety. This is the end game - after applying your knowledge of how to grow lettuce you can now go and enjoy with pride the very real fruits of your labor, there are not many thrills greater than this.
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