Vegetable:
Lettuce
1. When – Lettuce is a hardy cool season green. Plant as early as 1 month before your first spring frost date, and 2 months before your first winter frost date. Lettuce does not thrive in heat, avoid planting during the summer or the seeds will not germinate.
2. Where – Lettuce enjoys receiving 6-8 hours of full sun a day, especially during the colder periods of the year. During the summer, lettuce can benefit from partial shade as the full sun of summer can dry it out.
3. How – Plant seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch into the surface of the soil, around 12 to 18 inches apart. There are many varieties of lettuce, smaller varieties can be planted even closer together.
4. Harvesting – First and foremost, always pick the outermost leaves first, these are the ones that have been growing the longest and are the largest. Pull down and out from the base of the leaf and they will pop off. Be sure not to damage the crown of the plant. Also, do not harvest too many leaves at once or the plant will have a hard time continuing to produce.
5. Tips – Experiment with different varieties of lettuce and see which you enjoy best. Each has a different flavor profile and they can spice up the look of your garden with the different colors they come in. Some popular varieties are romaine, butterhead, arugula, and little gem.
Type:
Annual
Time to harvest:
30-70 days
Plant Origin:
Ancient Egypt around 6,000 years ago
How to Cultivate 