Although lettuce tends to have a short growing season, it can be worth promoting. Not only because it then becomes ready for harvest more quickly, but also because the bed in the garden is free again more quickly for subsequent crops. With these 9 steps you can prepare the salad.

In a nutshell

  • different types of lettuce can be preferred
  • The best known is lettuce
  • it doesn't have to be too warm, but it does have to be bright
  • prick out after germination
  • don't plant too late

material

  • Seeds of the desired variety of lettuce
  • Cultivation tray or small plant pots
  • Potting soil or other substrate (garden soil contains weed seeds!)
  • possibly drainage material
  • spray bottle with water
  • Foil and thin wooden sticks or transparent cover
  • alternatively indoor greenhouse

The best time to move forward

Basically, lettuce can be grown indoors from late winter to early summer. However, if it gets too warm, the seed will no longer germinate. The best time is when it can be foreseen that the young plants will be able to go into the bed in a few weeks.

temperature and location

Lettuce doesn't need to be too warm. On the contrary, you should look for a slightly cooler place in the house. The bedroom or a window in the hallway is better suited than the living room in terms of germination temperature. About 15 degrees is ideal. At the latest after germination, lettuce needs a lot of light in order to be able to grow well. Therefore, a seat by the window makes sense, but not by the south-facing window. It quickly gets too warm there and the young plants dry out.

Prefer: guidance

  1. Provide seed trays with a drainage layer, small stones or gravel are suitable for this. Plant pots have at least one drainage hole, this should be covered before filling.
  2. Fill in the earth. Leave a few inches of space around the edge. Moisten the soil with the spray bottle and press down.
  3. Sow seeds widely. The more space there is between the individual seeds, the easier it is to prick out afterwards.
  4. Cover the seeds thinly with soil and press them down well.
  5. Moisten the soil again. Be very careful not to wash away the seeds.
  6. Covering the plant with foil will speed up germination. To do this, stick small wooden sticks into the ground at regular intervals at the edge of the planting bowl. Then stretch the foil over it. Alternatively, use a ready-made cover or greenhouse.
  7. Place the finished seed trays at the chosen location. Keep the soil moist but not wet for the next few days. Remove the foil after germination or at least air it frequently.
  8. The germination period depends on the variety and is between 10 and 14 days.
  9. Prick out plants as soon as the first leaves appear after the cotyledons.

Notice: The only way to completely avoid transplanting is to sow the seeds individually in small pots.

pricking out the lettuce plants

This step is not necessary when sowing in individual pots. A seed tray with several seeds is essential, otherwise the plants will hinder each other's growth. The right time is reached about 14 days after germination.

Pricking: instructions

  1. Remove any weak or sickly young plants from the nursery tray. Do not injure the healthy and strong.
  2. The new plant pots should have a diameter of at least 5 cm. Cover the drainage hole and fill the pots with soil. Now something more nutritious substrate can be used. Cultivation soil is no longer so suitable, but all lettuce is not a heavy feeder.
  3. Detach the young plants from the planting bowl. To do this, carefully loosen the roots with a small wooden stick or special pricking stick.
  4. Place the lettuce plants individually in the pots. Fill in the soil and press down firmly so that the plants have a good grip. But be careful not to plant them too deep.
  5. Water the plants very carefully. Then keep moist and place in a bright location.
  6. The lettuce can be put into the garden bed from the beginning of April or later if it is to be reseeded.

Notice: Lettuce is very popular with snails. It is therefore essential to use a snail protection when planting out, for example a snail collar for individual plants or a snail fence for the entire bed.

frequently asked Questions

Which types of lettuce do you prefer?

With most salads, it is not worth preparing. Exceptions are lettuce, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce or endive.

Can you use your own seeds?

This is possible if it comes from single-variety lettuce. However, it is then uncertain how well the seeds will germinate. So sow a few more seeds.

Does the seed have to be treated in any way?

With lettuce seeds, it is not necessary to soak them or treat them in any other way. The germination rate is sufficiently high and the germination time is naturally not too long.

Category:

Vegetable garden