Lettuce doesn’t need full sun; in fact, it’ll perform better if you give it indirect light and cool shade. Plant summer lettuce underneath tall plants or arbors, or make your own shade structure. Some gardeners keep their lettuce in container gardens, which can be moved to shady spots in warm months.
How do you shade lettuce in the summer?
Provide shade. Use shade cloth or plant on the shady side of taller vegetables. Don’t skimp on water. Keep lettuce growing fast to prevent wilting, premature bolting, and bitterness.
Should I shade my lettuce?
Shade is the third part to keeping lettuce growing vigorously later into warm weather. Reducing sun exposure lowers the heat to the leaves, but also to the soil and roots – creating a combined benefit.
Can lettuce get too much sun?
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.
What temperature is too hot for lettuce?
Lettuce grows best in a temperature range of about 45 to 75 degrees. In weather hotter than that, the leaves become bitter to the taste. When leaf lettuce bolts—which means they begin to send up its flower shoots—it’s a signal that the production of edible lettuce is done for the season.
Can I grow lettuce in July?
Summer varieties of lettuce will do great in July and August and seeds can be planted directly in the garden. Just be sure to keep the seeds moist till they germinate and get established. Most summer lettuce varieties resist bolting and tip burn.
What shade cloth is best for lettuce?
Blue shade cloth is often used by cucumber farmers. Red (or black) is apparently best for growing lettuces.
How many hours sun does lettuce need?
approximately 6 to 8 hours
How much sun does lettuce need to grow? Most lettuce varieties enjoy full sunlight. For the best turnout, make sure you plant your lettuce in an area that receives approximately 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Some varieties can also be grown in partial shade, receiving 4 to 6 hours a day.
Can you grow lettuce in hot weather?
Cool down the summer weather for your lettuce
As gardeners, we adjust to the seasons. If your spring vegetable patch is in full sun then don’t plant summer lettuce there — instead, plant summer lettuce where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade (morning shade and afternoon sun will give too much heat).
How often should I water my lettuce?
Lettuce has shallow roots, so plants need consistent watering. Check at least twice a week and water if the soil is dry down to 1 inch deep. Containers of lettuce need to be watered more frequently than garden beds, especially in the summer.
Is afternoon sun good for lettuce?
Lettuce prefers a location with 5 to 6 hours of sun, but can benefit from afternoon shade when temperatures soar. Soil should be loose, well-draining, and moist but not soggy.
Can you grow lettuce in 80 degree weather?
Lettuce typically does not germinate outdoors in temperatures over 80 degrees. In the Vegepod, it not only germinated, but thrived and we were eating fresh salads in just three weeks.
What lettuce grows well in summer?
Three good choices are: Buttercrunch (55-days), a small, fast-maturing, dark green bibb lettuce; Tom Thumb, (35-50-days) an easy, fast-growing miniature variety of butterhead; and Red Cross (48d), a heat- tolerant, red butterhead.
What do I feed my lettuce?
Lettuce needs rich, fertile soil that holds moisture, so work in plenty of well-rotted organic matter in advance. To prepare for sowing or planting, remove any weeds, fork the ground over, then sprinkle with a handful each of pelleted poultry manure and general-purpose fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone.
Can you over water lettuce?
If you part the soil to observe the roots and they look brown or black, or feel mushy, you are probably overwatering your lettuce. Lettuce can be overwatered. Overwatering lettuce plants leads to root rot and discoloration. Avoid watering during rainy seasons.
What is the easiest lettuce to grow?
Loose leaf lettuce
Loose leaf lettuce, which refers to varieties that don’t form any type of head, is considered the easiest to grow. It matures in 40-45 days, but no need to wait that long to enjoy it! You can start thinning (and eating the trimmings) in as little as three weeks.
Can I grow lettuce in partial shade?
Arugula, lettuce, chard, kale and most other leafy greens are top candidates for partial shade at any time of day, and a longer list often thrives in sites that get full morning sun followed by afternoon shade.
What can I use instead of shade cloth?
A shade cloth can be DIY, such as an old white sheet, floating row cover, window screen or a piece of lattice. It can also be a roll of lightly woven material purchased to shade your SFG.
Do I need to shade tomatoes?
We turned to Tomatomania’s Scott Daigre, author of the book Tomatomania!: A Fresh Approach to Celebrating Tomatoes in the Garden and in the Kitchen, who says “six to eight hours of sun [a day] is all a tomato plant needs so shade accordingly.” “The plant needs shade for developing fruit.
Can I grow lettuce without direct sunlight?
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lettuce—a staple for any salad or BLT lover—is a cool-season green that dislikes too much direct sun. Some gardeners even shelter lettuce with shade cloth to prevent it from burning out.
Where does lettuce grow best?
The ideal lettuce growing location for spring and fall is in a spot that receives full sun. If you plan on growing lettuce during the summer or in warm planting zones, partial shade can provide protection from the heat.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.