Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Assistant Professor of Urban Agriculture
Planting
Lettuces should be grown in the spring starting April 1, March 25, or March 15 or in the fall until July 1, July 15, and Aug 1 in Eastern, Central, and Western Kentucky for head lettuce. Leaf lettuce can be grown a little later in the fall.
Lettuce can be planted in a shadier part of the garden or in the shadow of taller plants. This can actually help prevent bolting, which affects flavor, during the warmest parts of the growing season.
Plant seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch. The use of a seed spoon or dial seed sewer will help ensure one seed per hole.
If planting seeds to start transplants, plant seeds 5 to 7 weeks before planting date.
Final plant spacing should be 12-18 inches for head lettuce and 1/2 inch apart for leaf lettuce.
Hotbeds, cold frames, or hoop houses can be used to grow during the winter.
If planting in a container it should be 8 inches deep. With adequate light, container lettuce can be grown indoors year round.
Stagger planting, or use succession planting, to ensure a harvest throughout the year.
Care and Harvest
Head lettuce is ready for harvest about 45-60 days after planting. Leaf lettuce mixes may be ready for harvest about 30 days after planting.
Harvesting the largest plants first, or every other plant in a row, can increase the harvest from remaining plants