Sow the Little Gem seeds 1/2 inch deep, 1 inche apart, in rows spaced 16 inches apart . (You’ll later thin them to 12 inches apart.) Don’t pack the soil over the seeds, just cover them lightly, recommends Thomas & Morgan Seeds.
How long does it take for Little Gem lettuce to grow?
| Lettuce Little Gem Sowing Guidelines | Cover Seed: Lightly | Time to Germinate: 7 Days | Frost Hardy: Best to Protect | Spacing Between Plants: Thin to 30cm |
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How do you plant little gem lettuce seeds?
Sow thinly 1.5cm deep directly where they are to grow , in rows spaced 25cm apart. Keep the soil moist and weed free at all times. Seedlings should start to appear after approximately 7-14 days. Thin seedlings out to a final spacing of 15cm apart.
How long do lettuces take to grow from seed?
Make sure you have a damp, well-prepared soil or compost and sow the seed thinly. Cover with only a fine layer of compost, as lettuce seeds need light to germinate. They should begin to germinate after about 7 days .
Does lettuce need lots of water?
Water your lettuce plants every day —and even more often if it is extremely hot and dry. The lettuce leaves are mostly water and will desiccate and wilt in strong sunlight and dry soil. Lettuce roots tend to be shallow, so frequent watering is more important than deep watering.
Does lettuce need sun?
Soil, Planting, and Care. Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun , it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. You can grow lots of lettuce in a small space, even a container.
Can you regrow little gem lettuce?
The simple answer is yes , and regrowing lettuce in water is a super simple experiment. ... Lettuce plants growing in water don’t get enough nutrients to make a whole head of lettuce, again since water has no nutrients. Also, the stump or stem that you are trying to regrow from has no nutrients contained therein.
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
Sprouting Lettuce In Warm Weather
In warmer temperatures, imbibing or soaking the seeds in water for at least 16 hours before planting in a well-lit area will increase the germination percentages greatly.
Can I plant lettuce seeds directly in the ground?
You can plant lettuce seeds directly in the garden , start them indoors, or even try winter sowing them. I personally find it easiest to direct sow them, since they grow so fast, and the small seedlings can be difficult to transplant.
What is the fastest growing lettuce?
Some of the fastest growing lettuce varieties include: Flashy Trout Back, Buttercrunch , Jericho, Green Saladbowl, Red Sails, Clearwater, Deer Tongue, Waldmann’s Dark Green, Tambay, Alboreto, Powerhouse, and Little Gem. All of these lettuce varieties will be ready for harvest in less than 6 weeks from planting.
What is best fertilizer for lettuce?
Lettuce is a heavy nitrogen feeder. In order for lettuce to grow strong, it’s important to feed it a nitrogen rich fertilizer. Trifecta+ is an all purpose fertilizer that has the perfect amount of nitrogen for growing lettuce, and any other nitrogen rich fertilizers (ex. blood meal) work well to encourage leaf growth.
Why do my lettuce keep dying?
Insufficient soil moisture or overly wet soil can both result in poor growth and wilting . Lettuce suffering from drought stress wilts quickly and fails to put on new growth. Wet and soggy soil causes the plant’s roots to drown and rot. Leaves may begin to yellow and wilt, or the whole plant may become stunted.
How often does lettuce need to be watered?
Unless there is regular rainfall, lettuce must be watered deeply at least once a week – more frequently during periods of drought. Mulch with a layer of compost or clean straw to help the soil retain moisture. A drip-irrigation system is ideal.
How many hours sun does lettuce need?
Ideally, the plants should get at least 6 hours of sun per day , though lettuce will still grow if given less than that. The soil should be loose and drain well so that it’s moist without staying soggy.
