Seed Depth: ¼ inch

Seed Spacing: 1 inch

Row Spacing: 12–18 inches

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Days to Sprout: 7–14 days

Days to Maturity: 50–60 days

Growth Habit: Compact, upright romaine-type head

Sunlight: Prefers full sun in cool weather; provide partial shade in hot climates to reduce bolting.

Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

When to Plant: Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before your last expected frost, or again in late summer for a fall crop.

Direct Sowing: Sow seeds ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows. Thin to 6–10 inches once seedlings establish.

Transplanting: Start indoors 3–4 weeks before planting out. Transplant hardened-off seedlings 6–10 inches apart.

Succession Planting: Sow every 2–3 weeks for a steady harvest through spring and fall.

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water at the base to avoid wetting leaves.

Fertilizing: Use a balanced, nitrogen-rich fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.

Pruning: Harvest outer leaves often to encourage continuous growth.

Pest and Disease Control: Use row covers to deter pests like aphids and flea beetles. Ensure good airflow to prevent mildew and rot.

When to Harvest: Harvest outer leaves anytime after 4 inches tall, or cut whole heads when firm and mature at 50–60 days.

How to Harvest: Use clean scissors to cut leaves or cut entire head at the base with a sharp knife.

Storing Fresh Lettuce: Rinse gently, pat dry, and store in a produce bag in the refrigerator. Best used within 7–10 days.

Let Plants Bolt: Select a few healthy, pest-free lettuce plants and allow them to continue growing beyond the harvest stage. When the weather warms, they will bolt — sending up tall flower stalks.

Watch for Flowering: After bolting, the plants will produce small yellow flowers, which eventually dry out and form fluffy seed heads (similar to dandelions).

Harvest When Dry: Wait until the flower heads are fully dry and fluffy. Gently rub the heads to release the seeds. You can collect seeds over several days as they mature at different times.

Clean and Store: Remove any chaff and store your seeds in a cool, dry place. Be sure the seeds are completely dry before sealing in containers.

Isolation Note: Lettuce is mostly self-pollinating, but for pure seed, keep different varieties at least 10–20 feet apart if saving more than one type.