Lettuce Seeds

Lactuca sativa

Wild relatives of lettuce are dated to 6,000 years ago in middle Asia, and the lettuce we eat today is known to have been domesticated in Egypt 4,500 years ago. Most lettuce varieties require cool temperatures to grow well. Succession planting helps for a continual harvest. Avoid growing in the heat of mid-summer unless the variety is noted to do well in heat. Plants can survive light frost and be grown in early winter, under row cover or cold frame.

Growing tips:

• Sow lettuce seeds in seedling tray to transplant in early spring or fall for full size heads.
• Use Nitrogen-rich fertilizer for the best leaf growth. Water regularly.
• Keep sowing every two weeks for successive harvests.
• Most lettuce seeds except Batavian-type varieties can’t germinate well in high temperatures.
• Although there are bolt-resistant varieties, spring and fall are the best seasons to grow lettuce for the best eating quality.