Lettuces are one of my favorite vegetables to grow in the cold months. Most gardeners will end up planting them in a cold frame, greenhouse, or hoop house through the winter, but I think it’s so worth the extra trouble.
What temperature is too cold for lettuce?
Lettuce may cope with light freezing and even one or two hard freezes, but once the thermometer reads 25°F or below, the plants are in danger. That level of cold causes ice to form in the plant tissue, regardless of the amount of moisture in the air.
Does lettuce grow winter?
Growing lettuce in winter is easier than you think! The key is to select frost-tolerant varieties and pair them with a season extender like a cold frame, mini hoop tunnel, or polytunnel.
Will lettuce survive a freeze?
In general, lettuce will be able to tolerate a few freezing nights/days. However, this vegetable doesn’t do well with constant “hard” freezes, meaning the temperature drops below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. If your lettuce undergoes multiple freezes in the same week or even season, you could see it start to die.
What temperature does lettuce grow in Celsius?
Suitable air temperatures range from 12 – 21C, with 18C the optimum. The most succesful lettuce production occurs during periods when there are at least two months with maximum daytime temperatures of 17 – 28C and night time temperatures not exceeding 15C.
Can lettuce survive snow?
Crops that can survive under snow—but not sustained freezing temperatures or ice–include asparagus, rhubarb, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cress, rutabaga, spinach, endive, horseradish, kohlrabi, kale, leek lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, radishes, and turnips.
What temperature does lettuce like?
60 to 65°F.
Lettuce is adapted to cool growing conditions with the optimum temperatures for growth of 60 to 65°F. At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool.
Does lettuce grow all year round?
website creator Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) – a reliable summer favourite, salad filler and sandwich staple! But it can be grown year round, with very little tender loving care after making sure that there is adequate feed.
What is the growing season for lettuce?
Considered a spring and fall crop, lettuce thrives when temperatures are between 60 to 70 degrees F. Many varieties reach maturity in as little as 30 days, and some can even be harvested much earlier as microgreens.
Does lettuce need full sun?
How much sun does lettuce need to grow? Most lettuce varieties enjoy full sunlight. For the best turnout, make sure you plant your lettuce in an area that receives approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some varieties can also be grown in partial shade, receiving 4 to 6 hours a day.
How do you grow lettuce indoors in the winter?
Bright grow lights or bright daylight window
If your natural light is dim in winter, provide supplemental lighting for baby greens. The full spectrum grow light should be placed about 4″ above the top of the leaves. I use lights to grow lettuce indoors in January, when the natural light is lacking.
How cold is too cold for cabbage?
26°F
Among the hardiest vegetables are cole crops, which can tolerate moderate (24-28°F) freezes: Broccoli; Cauliflower (26°F) Chinese cabbage; Cabbage; Kale; Kohlrabi; Turnip.
What happens to lettuce when it 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.
Does lettuce need a lot of water?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
Can you grow lettuce indoors?
Grow a salad on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights
However, salad lovers can grow lettuce indoors, all winter long. Depending upon available sunlight, even urban gardeners can raise a steady supply of your favorite greens on a windowsill or beneath grow lights.
Can you grow spinach in winter?
Grow your own baby spinach leaves – they’re nature’s superfood, rich in iron, vitamins and fibre. A cool-season crop, sow in autumn and you’ll have leaves throughout autumn, winter and early spring.
Do any vegetables grow in winter?
These cold-weather champs are kale, spinach and collards. Other hardy vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, English peas, kohlrabi and leeks. Hardy root crops are radishes and turnip, which also yields some greens from the tops. Other hardy greens include kale, mustard greens and collards.
Can spinach grow cold weather?
The hardiest of the salad greens, spinach can withstand temperatures to 0°F and turns sweeter as the weather gets colder. Offer the plants some protection (such as row cover) if you want the leaves to look their best. Plant 6 to 8 weeks before first frost.
What temperature does lettuce grow indoors?
What temperature? Lettuce bolts (goes to seed) quickly in hot weather, but because you’re growing lettuce indoors, you do have control. Cool to average room temperatures of 60-70°F/16-21°C, with a 10°F/6°C drop at night, will keep seedlings growing steadily.
How often should lettuce be watered?
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.
Does lettuce need cold to germinate?
Lettuce is a cool weather crop and is best grown in spring and fall. The seeds germinate in temperatures as low as 40 F (4 C) but its ideal germination and growing temperature is between 60 and 65 F (16 to 18 C).