Lettuce

Lettuce comes in four primary types, each offering unique benefits for gardeners. Looseleaf varieties produce open, fast‑growing leaves perfect for continuous “cut‑and‑come‑again” harvests. Butterhead types form soft, tender leaves in loose heads with a gentle flavor. Romaine/Cos grows upright with crisp, narrow leaves ideal for salads and wraps. Crisphead varieties, like iceberg, develop dense, firm heads that mature slowly and perform best in cool seasons.

• Spring: Start transplants 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost.

• Fall: Start transplants 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost.

• Pro Tip: For best head development, avoid planting during hot spells. Lettuce thrives in soil temps between 45–65°F.

Soil Requirements:

Adjust soil pH between 6.0–7.0

Rich in compost or organic matter

Loamy, well-drained soil

Fertilizer Schedule:

Before Planting:
Mix 1½ cups of HOSS Complete Organic Fertilizer per 10 ft of row

2-3 Weeks After Transplanting:
Sidedress with 2 cups of HOSS All-In-One Vegetable Fertilizer per 10-15 ft row.

If using Fertilizer injector, 1 cup 20-20-20 Fertilizer and 1-2 cups microboost per 20 ft row.

3-4 Weeks after transplanting:

Side dress of one cup of Hoss All-In-One Fertilizer per 10 ft of row.

If using fertilizer injector, Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium Calcium Nitrate  and 1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20-30 ft. row.

Harvest: Lettuce is best harvested in the mornings as the heat of the day can cause the leaves to wither. There are many ways to harvest your lettuce depending on the varieties that you have planted. You can harvest Butterhead, Romaine and Looseleaf by removing the outer leaves, digging up the plant or cutting the plant 1 inch above the soil line. Crisphead can be picked from the center of the plant when the head is firm.

Storage: Lettuce can be stored in the refrigerator in a loose plastic bag for up to 10 days after harvest. When ready to use, place the lettuce in cold water for a few minutes then dry.

Preservation Tip: If your lettuce leaves become withered, place the leaves in cold ice bath for 15 minutes.

• Interplant or companion plant lettuce as a way to boost your garden efficiency and even deter pests.

• Mulch to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and keep heads clean.

• Remove and compost healthy plant residues after harvest; destroy diseased plants to prevent spread.

• Bolting is a common issue in lettuce. Delay bolting by covering the lettuce with a shade cloth or plant in the shade of your taller plants.