07
Nov
Planting lettuce is one of the first things that first-time growers in their orchards are advised to do because it is one of the fastest crops to harvest and easiest to grow. Plus, growing up fast allows you to have fewer pests and diseases, which encourages everyone to keep getting into this wonderful world. Read on to find out how.
Lettuce, botanically called Lactuca Sativa, is an annual plant belonging to the semi-temperate regions that are usually grown for human consumption. There are many varieties of lettuce, and they can be eaten throughout the year. Generally, they are eaten raw in salads and other dishes.
How to plant lettuce at home?
Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, since it adapts very well to any type of soil, although it prefers those that are rich in nutrients and well-drained. To achieve this, you only have to add a good amount of humus to the soil where you are going to plant lettuce.
Humus is rich in nutrients and helps retain water, but prevents puddling. Keep in mind that lettuces do not grow in heavy soils, so it is advisable to plant them in clay soil. If you have clay soil, simply add a little compost and manure each year to make it an ideal lettuce soil. The perfect pH for them is between 6 and 7.
Where and how to plant lettuces?
You can sow the lettuces directly in the garden, in a seedling drawer to transplant later or in a definitive planter. It is important that you provide a fresh medium to germinate, so you will have to keep the soil always humid, and if it is too hot you can put the seeds to cool between two sheets of blotting paper in the fridge for a few days before planting them.
Plant the lettuce seed in the garden in rows 30 cm apart and in the same row, the seeds should be 25 cm apart. In the planters, you simply have to leave a space with a radius of 25 cm for each seed so that each one develops well.
You can plant lettuce to consume throughout the year if you live in a place with a mild climate. Winter lettuces should be planted directly in the ground when autumn begins; those of spring will germinate in seedlings at the end of winter and you will have to transplant them at the beginning of spring; Those of autumn and summer should be sown eight weeks before being consumed.
Sun, irrigation, and harvesting
Lettuces love wet and cool climates, so you will have to leave them in full sun in spring, fall, and warm winters. In summer it is advisable to leave the lettuces in a place in the shade since otherwise they will grow upwards and give flowers and seeds. Lettuces prefer moist soils, so you will need to water them only enough to keep them moist. This will make them more tender and tasty.
Regarding its collection, lettuces should be removed from the vegetable garden or from the flowerpots only at the time when you want to consume them because they cannot be stored. Lettuces can be harvested from small until they reach their final size, depending on the taste of each person.
