Gabriella - A red leaf lettuce variety with ruffled, tender leaves that emerge from the soil with vibrant color, adding beauty to salads and dishes.
Lettuce Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow lettuce seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring, typically 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. For a continuous harvest, sow additional seeds every 2 weeks.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot or a partially shaded area, especially in warmer climates. Lettuce prefers cool temperatures and well-draining, fertile soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and incorporate compost or a balanced fertilizer to improve fertility and drainage.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep, as lettuce requires light to germinate.
- Space seeds 1 inch apart in rows or scatter them in a wide bed. For head lettuce, thin to 10-12 inches apart once seedlings emerge.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7-10 days. Once established, water regularly to prevent the leaves from becoming bitter, especially during dry spells.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start lettuce seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date for an earlier harvest.
- Containers: Use shallow trays or small pots filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep, lightly pressing them into the soil surface.
- Keep the soil evenly moist by misting gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 60-70°F for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 7-10 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when they have 3-4 true leaves and the soil temperature is consistently above 40°F. Space plants 4-6 inches apart for leaf varieties or 10-12 inches apart for head varieties.
General Care Tips for Lettuce
- Sunlight: Provide full sun in cooler weather or partial shade in warmer weather. Lettuce thrives in cooler temperatures and can bolt (go to seed) in hot weather.
- Watering: Water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
- Fertilizing: Lettuce is a light feeder. Incorporate compost into the soil before planting and side-dress with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every few weeks to encourage leafy growth.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
- Harvesting: Harvest leaf lettuce as soon as the leaves are large enough to eat, or allow head lettuce to mature fully before cutting. For cut-and-come-again harvesting, trim leaves 1 inch above the soil line and allow them to regrow.
