Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
History
Lettuce originally begain as a medicine by the egyptians, they would extraxt the oils from it and use it as a sleep aid. IT was the greeks that first used it in a culinary manner and was popularized by the romans. Lettuces is broken dow in to 4 types butterhead crisphead, romaine and loose leaf; with hundreds of varities.
Growing conditions
Sunlight
Needs at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Temperature Range
60F-70F
Soil Conditions
Sandy Loam soil.
Water
1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Water the plants regularly keeping soil moist not soggy.
Nutrients
10-10-5
pH
6.0-7.0
Plant care
Sowing Seeds
Plant seeds in a well draining soil about a 1/4 inch deep. Plant seeds about 1 inch apart and cover with straw
Germination
Seeds can take 3 to 10 day for germination
Pruning
Once the first true leaves have estbalished thin out the rows to about 4 to 6 inches.
Remove any leaves that are drooping in the soil
Harvest
Leaving the center crown will allow for a second harves. Remove the outer most leaves first.
Growing Tips
Lettuce can be grown indoors in a container and has a quick harvest. Using an Aerogarden or a Lettuce Grow Farmstand to grow indoors can keep the plants stress to a minimum.
Garden plotter quick facts
Spacing
10" to 16"
Water needs
Low
Sunlight
Full Sun
Root vegetable that grows best in loose, sandy soil.
