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Lettuce - Leaf

Lactuca sativa
Varieties
  • Black Seeded Simpson
  • Allstar Mix | High Mowing Blend
  • Waldman's Dark Green
  • Rouge d'Hiver
Growth Habit
Mounding
Growing Conditions
Cold Tolerant | Freeze Tolerant
Disease and Pest Notes
  • Tarnished Plant Bugs cause brown scarring on stems. Romaine is especially susceptible.
  • Cabbage looper and cutworms can be controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (such as Dipel DF, see Supplies) and/or spinosad (such as Entrust™), preferentially in rotation with one another to prevent selection of resistant individuals (check with your certifier before applying).
  • Leafminers burrow underneath the skin and leave weaving, translucent trails. They are usually controlled by natural enemies.
  • Slugs and Snails can be baited by beer traps. Practice clean cultivation and avoid mulch.
Mulch Type
Wood chips after planting | Compost mulch | Plastic bio mulch
Propagation
Seed
Life cycle
Seed germination treatment details
Put seeds in 118° water for 30 minutes if seed-borne disease issues occur.
Soil block size
1.25" 5 block maker.
Light requirements and depth
Cover with vermiculite or light soil.
Seed germination temperature
Best below 70°F. If exposed to temps above 77° even for a day in soil or storage they won't germinate well. Soil temps for germination are 40° - 80° - 75° optimum.
Heat mat temp
65° - 70°
Cool germination details
Best below 70°F. Utilize shade and frequent misting to keep trays cooled below 75°F (25°C) during germination.
Culture and fertilization requirements

Lettuce is a hardy, cool-weather crop and can be planted with your earliest worked soil. It grows best at 60–65°F (16–18°C) and germinates best below 70°F (21°C), so careful variety selection is key for success in hotter weather. Sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of either full heads or salad mix.

THERMAL DORMANCY:
Lettuce seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures. Optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 60-68°F (16-20°C). The priming process in pelleted lettuce seeds broadens the temperature range in which the seeds will germinate, overcoming some of their thermal dormancy.

 

Lettuce in Summer

https://www.growingformarket.com/articles/summer-lettuce-lessons-from-southern-growers

Succession interval - maximum
14
Harvesting details

Baby Leaf: Harvest about 1″ above the growing point when leaves reach desired harvestable length, about 3–4″ long. Remove harvest debris to improve regrowth quality.

Current Seed Start & Transplant Dates

Note: Seed starting and transplant dates do not always correlate one to one with dates shown below. Note correct start and expected transplant dates on the tag of the tray for seed germination. Adjust dates with plant tags on a yearly basis if necessary. 8 ounces of fertilizer is about 1 cup. Consider Sustane various NPK and Alfalfa Meal or Blood Meal for nitrogen.

Seed Start to Transplant Days 21
Days to Maturity after Transplant 19
Days to Maturity Total 40
Succession Interval 14 - 21
Number of Plantings per Season 5 Spring | 8 - 9 Fall
Number of Transplants per Plant Date 18
Square Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date 3
Linear Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date 1
Spring Expected Harvest Date Range 04/15 to 06/07
Fall Expected Harvest Date Range 10/25 to 02/15
Killing Temperature 15° Rouge d’hiver and winter varieties | 20° - head lettuce | 22° leaf lettuce
Athens
Franklin


Transplant Details: 8" - 10" apart in a grid, and mini heads as close as 6" in a grid.

Direct Sow Dates ( if any )



Direct Sow Details: Seeds can germinate well in soils as low as 40°F (4°C) but often poorly above 75°F (24°C). Sow 4–6 seeds/inch in rows at least 2" apart. Cover lightly to 1/8" and firm gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture for uniform germination.

Seed Saving

Polination Type
Self Pollinating
Seed Collection
Space plants 1' apart. Flower may grow 2 to 5 feet tall. Collect only from plants that are slow to bolt or you'll be selecting for fast bolting. Pull plant when enough seed heads have formed - when plant is 50% feather. Hang upside down to dry indoors for about a week.
Seed Viability Years
6 years
Seed Cleaning and Storage
Rub heads in hand or flail them. Screen material for the seeds. Hold seeds for at least 2 months before planting as they are dormant after harvest.
Isolation Requirements
Little crossing with lettuce. Isolation usually isn't a concern. Separate by 20' to be sure. If prickly lettuce weed is nearby isolate from it by 200'.

Variety Details

Variety Name
Black Seeded Simpson
Variety Description
An early producer of light green, curled, tender leaves.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Seed Vendors
Johnny's
Variety Name
Allstar Mix | High Mowing Blend
Variety Description
A specially designed blend based on two years of trial research to make your salad mix stand out from the crowd. Selected varieties yield darker reds and greens even under low-light conditions. Ruffled edges and unique leaf shapes provide loft, interesting texture, good shelf life, and fancy appearance. Includes green oakleaf, red oakleaf, green romaine, red romaine, lollo rossa, and red leaf lettuces. Varieties are subject to change depending upon availability.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Special Notes
6" grid - Consider direct seed for leaf types.
Seed Vendors
Allstar Johnnys 1000 - $5.15 | High Mowing Blend 1/32oz $3.25
Variety Name
Waldman's Dark Green
Variety Description
Exceptionally early green leaf lettuce. The standard, most widely grown green leaf lettuce.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Seed Vendors
Johnny's 500 seeds $5.40
Variety Name
Rouge d'Hiver
Variety Description
Well-known French heirloom. An old French romaine variety with medium-red tinted leaves and excellent flavor. Good regrowth. Tolerant to cold, but avoid hot weather.
Seed Vendors
Johnny's Packet: 500 seeds. $5
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