Lettuce Seed Starting Tips

Lettuce Sowing and Planting Tips 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. Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate then keep the soil moist until seedlings are well established. Sow seed ¼ to ½ inch (6-13mm) deep.

How do you start lettuce seedlings?
Can you start lettuce in seed trays?
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
Do lettuce seeds need sunlight to germinate?
How long does lettuce take to grow from seed?
Does lettuce need full sun?
Why won't my lettuce seeds germinate?
How often do you water lettuce seeds?
Can I grow lettuce in water?
Can you grow lettuce in a Mason jar?

How do you start lettuce seedlings?

Start some lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before the last frost date in your area. Provide the seedlings with plenty of sunlight or keep them under grow lighting until ready to move into the garden. Transplant the seedlings as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why won't my lettuce seeds germinate?

Lettuce seeds won't sprout when soil temperatures are above 80°F but they will start to germinate as low as 40°F, making it ideal for early and late season planting. A plant hormone is produced under warm conditions that stop the germination process, called “thermo-inhibition”.

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.

Can I grow lettuce in water?

Lettuce can grow hydroponically, but water itself is not a good medium to grow things in. ... By itself, water does not contain any nutrients. In the case of lettuce, that stump at the bottom of the lettuce that the leaves are attached to is the stem – it's just greatly compressed.

Can you grow lettuce in a Mason jar?

The Container

Most people will do their first hydroponics with mason jars. ... Lettuce roots don't need too much space to grow, but depending upon your environment and its growth rate you may find yourself adding water to a small jar every so often.