Winter mulch is key to helping lettuce survive frost and frigid weather. And placing it well ahead of the ground freezing or the arrival of cooling temperatures is just as important. Your goal is to keep the soil warm, and keep it from freezing for as long as possible.
How cold can lettuce seedlings tolerate?
How to Grow: Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that thrives in the temperature range 60-65 degrees F, and if thoroughly hardened, most varieties survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees F. Cold-adapted varieties survive much lower temperatures.
Should I cover lettuce plants for frost?
Even these cold-hardy greens will need some extra protection if frequently exposed to temperatures in the low 20s and teens. You can protect your cool season crops (including lettuce, which is more easily injured than other greens), by throwing a blanket or row cover over the plants.
At what temperature do I need to cover my lettuce?
Unless you are facing deep frosts, you don’t even need to protect lettuce in cold weather. However, if your temperatures are consistently just above freezing, you can use a row cover or clear garden plastic sheeting to raise the ambient temperature and increase their growth rate.
How do you protect new seedlings from frost?
Cover Plants – Protect plants from all but the hardest freeze (28°F for five hours) by covering them with sheets, towels, blankets, cardboard or a tarp. You can also invert baskets, coolers or any container with a solid bottom over plants. Cover plants before dark to trap warmer air.
Can lettuce seedlings survive frost?
Lettuce seedlings will generally tolerate a light frost and, unlike most vegetables, continue to grow through the fall when the possibility is a probability in some regions. That said, cold, clear nights may create frost damage in lettuce, especially if the duration of the cold snap is lengthy.
Can seedlings survive frost?
Hardy and Semi-Hardy Crops
Hardy vegetables tolerate cold temperatures the best—their seeds will germinate in cool soil, and seedlings can typically survive heavy frost.
Should you water plants before a freeze?
Drought-stressed plants are more susceptible to cold damage, so watering plants a few days in advance of a cold snap is beneficial. Watering just before the freeze can help too by creating warmth, and the water loses its heat slowly over the hours into the colder temperatures.
Can frost cloth touch plants?
And if necessary, the frost cloth can be left on the plants for an extended period of time without the risk of harming your plants—it’s lightweight and allows the sun to pass through the fabric.
When can lettuce seedlings be planted outside?
Lettuce loves cool weather. You can begin planting leaf, romaine and butterhead lettuce as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Depending on the variety, lettuce germinates in temperatures between 40 to 85 degrees F.
Will frost hurt lettuce plants?
Lettuce is considered “hard frost hardy,” which means it can withstand frosts below 28 degrees. If the frost continues unabated, however, the cell walls may form ice, and the plant actually freezes. Freezing is irreversible and will kill a lettuce plant.
Can lettuce seedlings survive snow?
Because this vegetable is frost-hardy, lettuce should handle the cold pretty well. Typically, your plant can survive light freezes, meaning the temperature drops between 28 and 32 degrees.
What happens if lettuce freezes?
Freezing causes ice crystals to form within the lettuce’s cell walls. Because lettuce is so delicate and so high in water content, these crystals cause the cells to rupture, leading to unsightly and off-tasting crystallization.
Can you use garbage bags to protect plants from frost?
Yes – if you secure the plant properly. Garbage bags work to cover plants and protect from frost, but they must not be allowed to touch the plant’s surface. Use stakes and supports to create a tent-like structure over the plant, which will retain warm air. Make sure the trash bag goes all the way to the ground.
What is the best material to cover plants from frost?
Bed sheets or comforters work best for covering large plants and shrubs. Newspaper can be used on low-growing foliage, but it can often be difficult to get it to stay in place. I have used old pillow cases, sheets, towels and even cardboard boxes.
Can I cover my plants with plastic bags to protect from frost?
Plastic – Plastic is definitely not the best winter covering for plants, as plastic, which doesn’t breathe, can trap moisture that can kill the plant in a freeze. You can use plastic in a pinch, however (even a plastic garbage bag), but remove the covering first thing in the morning.
How cold is too cold for seedlings?
Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can prevent the seedlings from growing.
What is the most cold hardy lettuce?
I’ve seen some small unprotected lettuces survive down to 5F (-15C) – Winter Marvel, Tango, North Pole, Green Forest. Other particularly cold-hardy lettuce varieties include Brune d’Hiver, Cocarde, Esmeralda (a bibb), Lollo Rossa, North Pole (bibb), Outredgeous, Rossimo, Sunfire and Vulcan.
How do you grow lettuce in a cold frame?
Cold frames should be placed in a southern-facing location. They perform best when buried down 6 to 12″ inches into the soil. This helps to take full advantage of thermal ground heat. For a great growing medium, fill with 3 to 5 inches of garden soil and compost, or a good organic potting soil.
Is 4 degrees too cold for seedlings?
A temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for a vegetable garden. This temperature will cause frost to develop in the garden that can damage the roots, leaves, and fruits in your vegetable garden. You can protect your vegetable garden if the temperature drop is temporary.
How do I protect my seedlings outside?
To protect seeds and seedlings sown in containers, move the containers into an unheated shelter such as a garage or garden shed, or push it up against the south facing wall of your home. If containers cannot be moved, wrap several layers of old blankets around and over them.