Lettuces can be very easy to grow in light, loose garden soil or in containers of potting mix. Because lettuces and greens like cooler weather they should be grown in early spring or fall. Fertilize prepared garden beds or containers with a good organic vegetable fertilizer. Planting time for lettuce is based upon when your soil will be warmer than 50-60 degrees.
Cooler weather actually helps with growing lettuces so you may want to shade them from hot summer heat. Lettuces and greens are cold hardy to about 25 degrees.
The seeds should be scattered on top of moist soil. Then Sprinkle a small amount of soil on top of the seeds. They will germinate within 5-7 days if the soil temperature stays above 65 degrees. For best germination, keep the soil consistently moist but not too wet.
Keep lettuces well weeded to prevent the weeds from interfering with growth.
You can cut the leaves to harvest when they are about 4-5 inches tall and the plants will grow new leaves within about 2 weeks. You do not have to harvest them all at once, just leave what you are not ready to use and cut them as needed.
