===== PAGE 1 ===== # Lettuce # 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

===== PAGE 2 ===== - Many leaf lettuce varieties can be cut and allowed to regrow for up to 4 harvests. Plants will regenerate in about two weeks. - Lettuce can be harvested using a sharp, serrated knife, like a steak knife. ## Storage and Use - Lettuce should not be washed before storage. Harvest when dry, store, and wash before use. - Store in a refrigerator crisper drawer, for about 2 weeks if it is a crisphead variety or for up to 4 weeks for bib and leaf lettuces. - Head lettuce varieties are great for sandwiches, burgers, wraps and more. - Leaf lettuce varieties are great for salads. - Lettuce varieties come in many colors and different flavors. Experiment with varieties and mixes to add new flavors to your salads, sandwiches and more. ## References - Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky. ID-128. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service - Johnnyseeds.com. 2018. Lettuce. http://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/onions/white-spear-onion-seed-503.html?cgid=onions#start=1 (accessed 15 June, 2018) Markham, B.L. 2014. The MiniFarmingTM Bible: The Complete Guide to Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre. SkyHorse Publishing. New York, New York. Stone, C. 2016. The Urban Farmer: Growing Food for Profit on Leased and Borrowed Land. New Society Publishers. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada.