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Lactuca sativa
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Growing Instructions
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Sow seeds outside as early as the soil can be worked
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Plant in rows 15" apart, spacing seeds 1” apart at a depth of ¼"
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Keep soil moist until plants start to grow
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Repeat plantings ever 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest
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Can be planted in full sun or partial shade
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Ready to harvest in approximately 50 days
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Fun Facts
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Can withstand hot weather without becoming bitter
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Was known as Baltimore and Philadelphia Oakleaf in the 1880s.
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Seed Saving
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Lettuce needs to bolt or grow a stalk in order to flower. This process is encouraged when the soil is hot and dry
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Once lettuce bolts it will produce dandelion-like flowers. When they are ready to harvest the flowers will have turned into white clusters
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To harvest, you can either collect the seed heads from individual pods every few days, or cut the entire stalk and place in a large paper bag to dry, allowing the seed heads to collect at the bottom of the bag
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Allow seed heads to fully dry for at least a week
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Break the dried seed heads to reveal the seeds by rolling between your fingers
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If some of the seed heads (or chaff) remain, it will not ruin seed viability, instead it will serve as a kind of compost when planted
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Seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place and are viable up to five years
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