Introduction to Lettuce Planting Methods and Timing

Lettuce is a common edible vegetable, usually stir-fried, but it can also be eaten raw. Its nutritional value is very high, and many people like to eat it. So, how do you grow lettuce? When do you plant it? The following is an introduction to lettuce planting methods and timing!

1. A brief introduction to lettuce!

1. What other names does lettuce have?

Lettuce is also called leaf lettuce, goose chick vegetable, mai chick vegetable, wo chick vegetable, and so on. It is a plant of the genus Lactuca in the Asteraceae family, native to the Mediterranean coast of Europe. It can now be grown in most parts of China. It grows 25-100 cm tall, and its leaves are long obovate, densely forming a cabbage-like leaf head.

2. Is lettuce a cooling food?

Lettuce is cooling in nature and has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, and clearing the liver and promoting gallbladder function. Therefore, people with frequent urination or cold stomach should not eat too much of it, otherwise it may worsen their condition, and may even cause bloating and diarrhea, leading to loss of appetite, and so on.

3. How many types of lettuce are there?

According to leaf growth form, it can be divided into three types, namely head lettuce, curly-leaf lettuce, and upright lettuce. The main feature of head lettuce is that its terminal leaves form a leaf head. The main feature of curly-leaf lettuce is that it does not form a head. The main feature of upright lettuce is that its leaves are narrow and long and grow upright.

2. How do you grow lettuce?

1. Soil: good water and fertilizer retention, rich in organic matter.

Lettuce has a well-developed root system and prefers slightly acidic conditions. Choose a clay loam with good water and fertilizer retention and rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5-7 being suitable. Before planting, rake the soil fine, apply fully decomposed organic fertilizer, mix it thoroughly and evenly with the soil, then water enough to moisten the bottom layer, and make beds after it dries.

2. Sowing: after broadcasting the seeds, cover with soil and mulch film.

Lettuce is generally sown from seed. Choose a suitable variety, then evenly broadcast the seeds on the bed surface at 30-50 grams per mu. After sowing, cover with 0.3-0.5 cm of moist soil and cover with mulch film to retain moisture. When seedlings begin to emerge, remove the bed mulch film in time to prevent leggy growth.

3. Transplanting: transplant when 4-5 true leaves have grown.

When the seedlings grow to 2-3 true leaves, thin them to a spacing of 6-8 cm between plants and rows. When they grow to 4-5 true leaves, they can be transplanted. The day before transplanting, irrigate the seedbed so the seedling clumps are moist. The next day, lift the seedlings while keeping as much soil as possible. Then open furrows 4-6 cm deep. After opening the furrows, apply 25 kg per mu of NPK compound fertilizer, then irrigate. After the water seeps in, place the seedlings at a spacing of 24 cm between plants, cover with soil, and close the furrows.

4. Temperature: the suitable growing temperature is 15℃-20℃.

Lettuce likes a cool environment, is not cold-tolerant, and is not heat-tolerant. The suitable growing temperature is 15℃-20℃. The seedbed temperature should preferably be controlled at 18℃-20℃ during the day and 12℃-14℃ at night. Pay attention to ventilation, and provide shade when exposed to strong sunlight.

5. Fertilizer and water: it must not lack water, and topdressing should be done in time.

Lettuce likes moisture and requires a sufficient water supply throughout the whole growth period. During the seedling stage, generally do not water unless there is a lack of water. 5-7 days after transplanting, water once to help the seedlings recover, then cultivate, loosen the soil, and weed. After that, water 3-4 times, and stop watering before harvest. During the growing period, the plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers used together, and topdressing can be applied in stages along with watering. Head lettuce needs more potassium.

3. When do you plant lettuce?

1. Lettuce seeds can germinate at 4℃. The suitable temperature during growth is 15℃-20℃. Growth is poorer above 25℃. 0℃ or even short-term subzero low temperatures do not hinder growth. From sowing to harvest takes about 30-40 days. Therefore, when planting lettuce, avoid hot, scorching weather and low-temperature freezing weather. It is better to plant in spring from March to April and in autumn from September to October.

2. In fact, as long as the temperature is suitable, it can be planted all year round, and different varieties have different temperature requirements. Some varieties are cold-tolerant, and some are heat-tolerant, so they should be treated differently.

The above is an introduction to lettuce planting methods and timing. We hope it is useful to everyone.