Growing lettuce in pots is an ideal way to have fresh greens at your fingertips, whether you live in a house or an apartment! Today we'll show you how to grow lettuce in pots or containers so you can enjoy lettuce no matter how big or small your space is!
How to Grow Lettuce in Pots
Source: Seaspringseeds
Lettuce is a cold season crop and that means it needs a cooler environment in order to grow. Those living in tropical climates may have a harder time growing lettuce, but it can still be done as long as the lettuce is planted in a colder month.
Learning how to grow lettuce in pots is great because the pots can be brought indoors during colder days, then brought back outdoors once the weather grows.
Planting Lettuce:
Lettuce: Youtube
- Lettuce needs plenty of roots to spread its roots, so make sure you have a pot that's at least 6 to 12 inches.
- Choose a good pet or compost mix soil.
- The soil needs to be constantly moist as lettuce IS 95% water, but make sure the roots are never sitting in water. This may cause root rot.
- Be sure your pot has good drainage holes to prevent excess water and root rot.
- Before planting, add 1/2 tablespoon of time release fertilizer per gallon of soil.
- Lettuce transplants should be planted 1/4 inch deeper than they would be in garden soil.
- Set each lettuce head about 6-12 inches apart.
- Seeds can be sown once the soil is no longer frozen, 1/2 inch deep and 4-12 inches apart.
Caring For Your Lettuce Plant:
- Make sure soil is always moist, but never over-watered.
- Because of its shallow roots, lettuce responds best to consistent, shallow watering.
Harvesting Lettuce:
- You can start harvesting your lettuce after about 65 days if planted in the fall, and about 100 days after planted in the winter.
- Simply snip or break off the leaves and your lettuce will keep producing.
- If you remove the entire head, you will have to replant again next season.
Happy Planting!
