Lettuce Seed Starting

Lettuce Sowing and Planting Tips Seed is viable for 5 years. Start lettuce indoors 4 weeks before transplanting; sow or transplant lettuce into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Seed germinates in 2 to 10 days at or near 70°F (21°C)—but sometimes seed can take up to 2 weeks to germinate if the soil is cold.

Can you start lettuce in seed trays?
Can you germinate lettuce seeds in water?
Does lettuce need full sun?
Should I start my lettuce seeds inside?
Do lettuce seeds need sunlight to germinate?
How long does lettuce take to grow from seed?
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
Will old lettuce seeds germinate?
How often do you water lettuce seeds?
Should I germinate seeds before planting?

Can you start lettuce in seed trays?

Lettuce is easily started in seed-starting trays or small pots. Lettuce started indoors can be set into the garden when plants have about four leaves, usually in three to four weeks from sowing.

Can you germinate lettuce seeds in water?

Another technique that has shown to be successful is to soak the seeds in cool water in a well-lit area for 16–24 hours. This approach has increased the germination rate up to 97% when planted in warmer conditions. Soaking for less than 16 hours has little to no positive effect on germination.

Does lettuce need full sun?

Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. ... Give lettuce fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Should I start my lettuce seeds inside?

Lettuce is so easy to grow and it can be started indoors for early transplants or sown directly in the garden. In fact, doing both is recommended to get maximum production. Start some lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before the last frost date in your area.

Do lettuce seeds need sunlight to germinate?

Seeds that require light to germinate are lettuce and savory. These seeds should not be covered with soil or just barely. ... These seeds can germinate in light if surrounded by moist soil or they can be lightly covered with soil.

How long does lettuce take to grow from seed?

How Long Does It Take Lettuce to Grow? Lettuce grows fairly quickly. Leaf varieties reach maturity in 30 days but can be harvested as soon as they reach the desired size. Other types of lettuce require 6 to 8 weeks to reach full harvest size.

Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?

Imbibing or soaking the seeds in cool water for 16–24 hours in a well-lit area before planting will increase the germination percentages greatly.

Will old lettuce seeds germinate?

Do seeds go bad with time, or can you plant them no matter how old they are? The answer is, yes, seeds will eventually go bad and no longer germinate, but it can take quite a long time. There is a good chance that those old seed packets will have a high percentage of seeds that will germinate just fine.

How often do you water lettuce seeds?

ANSWER: Lettuce should be watered not daily but instead about twice a week, or once every four or five days, for most of its growing period. It will need to be watered lightly but more frequently for the first two weeks after planting, perhaps daily, depending on your climate.

Should I germinate seeds before planting?

Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed's natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster. ... These inhibitors must be leached away before a seed can germinate. In nature with natural rainfall, this process can take some time.