When to grow lettuce: Start early indoors or seed directly outdoors from late March to August. Cover with 1/8 inch light soil.
When can I transplant lettuce seedlings outside?
Lettuce should be transplanted when the plants are between 2-3 inches tall. You should harden off your lettuce plants 7-10 days before transplanting.
If you’re growing a heading variety you may want to consider starting your lettuce indoors and transplanting seedlings out.
- Better germination.
- No wasted space.
- More time.
How cold can lettuce seedlings tolerate?
The largest of these lettuce seedlings are developing their first true leaves. 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.
What is the best month to plant lettuce?
Lettuce seeds germinate best in the cooler temperatures of spring or fall. If it’s too hot, they won’t germinate. So, the best time to plant lettuce seeds is as soon as the ground is workable in very early spring, or once the temps start to cool down in late summer or early fall.
Can I plant lettuce plants outside now?
Lettuce can be sown direct outdoors from early spring until late summer, for crops through summer and fall. ‘Sow lettuce directly into the garden under a fine layer of soil after the last hard frost,’ advises gardening guru Jo Gardener (opens in new tab), although most lettuce can tolerate a mild spring frost.
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.
How cold is too cold for new seedlings?
Seedlings, with their tender new leaves, often give up the ghost when temperatures dip to 32-33°F. Tropical plants have differing low-temperature thresholds. Some keel over when temps fall to 40°F; others crumble at 35°F. Other plants are just hardy by nature and can withstand temperatures as low as 18-20°F.
How cold is too cold to harden off seedlings?
Be sure to water plants after hardening them off. Hardy plants can be hardened off when the outside temperature is consistently above 40° F. Half-Hardy plants may be hardened off at 45° F.
How do I protect my lettuce seedlings from frost?
HOW TO PROTECT PLANTS FROM FROST
- Lay a pane of glass, held up by small pots, over low-growing plants.
- Relocate outdoor potted plants somewhere warmer, such as on a verandah or under the house.
- Save old net curtains, bed sheets and shadecloth for emergency overnight protection.
How big should seedlings be before transplanting outside?
The general rule of thumb is that when a seedling has three to four true leaves, it’s large enough to plant out in the garden (after it has been hardened off).
Do I need to cover lettuce seedlings?
Growing lettuce from seed in late summer may require generous artificial shade to help cool the soil for germination. Once days become cooler, the shade can be removed to give plenty of sunlight to young lettuce plants. Lettuce grows best in loose, cool soil with good drainage.
Can you plant lettuce in February?
Plant Cool-Weather Crops
If you live in the South or Far West, you can plant cool weather vegetables such as spinach, peas, greens, onions, potatoes, lettuce, Swiss chard, beets, carrots, and radishes in your February garden.
Can I plant lettuce in April?
April is the time to set out cool-weather crops such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and onions. But we have to wait until the danger of frost has passed to transplant tender plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
Does lettuce like morning sun or afternoon sun?
The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away.
What temperature can you plant lettuce outside?
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.
Can you bury leggy lettuce seedlings?
Generally, yes, you can plant leggy seedlings deeper in the soil to help compensate for the extra-long stems! However, avoid the temptation to plant them deeper right away, when they’re still very young and tender. Weak, thin, small stems may rot once they’re buried in damp soil.
Can I grow lettuce in an unheated greenhouse over winter?
Many types of leafy, green vegetables can thrive in a winter greenhouse. Do you crave fresh salads during the winter months? Many varieties of lettuce are sensitive to freezing but some types, such as endive and radicchio, are rugged enough to tolerate the cold.
Can lettuce seedlings survive snow?
All types of lettuce, including romaine (also called cos) are cold-weather vegetables that can withstand brief frosts and even freezes, although they may experience some outer leaf damage.
Do I need to cover lettuce plants?
Prevention is the best cure, so cover lettuces with insect-proof mesh (such as Enviromesh) from June until August, as this will prevent aphids getting to the roots. Some lettuces are resistant to root aphids.
Is it too cold to plant seedlings?
I wanted to know how much cold these plants can tolerate and have added my research below. 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.
What temperature kills seedlings?
Light freeze – 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will kill tender plants. Moderate freeze – 25° to 28° Fahrenheit is widely destructive to most vegetation. Severe or hard freeze – 25° Fahrenheit and colder causes heavy damage to most plants.