Plant Type: Annual
Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa
Light: full sun – shade in summer
Soil Type: Good drainage, rich, loose, loam
Soil Temperature: 40° +
ph Range: 6.0 – 7.0
Watering: Keep moist
Plant (Payson): March 1 – May 1 / August 1 – September 15
Planting Method: Seed
Germination: 7 – 14 days 50°
Transplant: Not recommended
Maturity: 45 – 55 days
Common Pests: Slugs, aphids, leaf hoppers
Common Diseases: Damping off, downey mildew

OVERVIEW

Originating in the Mediterranean, lettuce has been grown and cultivated for thousands of years. Generally, it is a good source of both vitamins K and A. There are many, many varieties from head lettuces such as iceberg & butter to romaine to frisees to leaf lettuces like red & green leaf.

Does not grow well if PH is low so additions of manure and compost will help provide the right PH balance and nutrients needed for a successful crop.

Lettuce likes cool but not cold weather. Some varieties are more tolerant and can be planted in spring as soon as you can work the soil while others require warmer temperatures. Although lettuce can grow in full sun, in Arizona, it grows best in cool loose, soil that has partial shade from the brutal sun.

Transplanting

Plant lettuce in rich soil that drains well. Don’t let shallow roots dry out or it may become bitter. Provide shade for newly planted lettuce.

Seed
Plant directly in soil –  for even distribution of tiny lettuce seeds –  mix dark color seeds in a shaker with sand and sprinkle on your row. For light color seeds mix with fine potting soil in your shaker. This technique helps to see the seeds as you plant and results in evenly spread seeds over the planting area.