Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Although lettuce is produced in many states, California and Arizona dominate U.S. production. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent.
How are lettuce produced?
At 70 to 800F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 850F, provided that nights are cool. Lettuce seed will germinate at 350F, but optimum germination is 70 to 750F. If the plants are sufficiently hardened, they will withstand freezing.
Where is lettuce grown in world?
Lettuce is grown on all continents, but the greatest consumers and producers are the USA (91 000 hectares, of which 60 000 ha are in California) and Europe (total EEC area 80 000 ha).
Where does the lettuce come from?
Lettuce originated in the Mediterranean area and was first grown as a weed. The first documentation of cultivation begins in Ancient Egypt over 6,000 years ago, but it may have been cultivated in the Middle East prior to this. Ancient Egyptian artwork, especially tomb paintings, depicts different varieties of lettuce.
Are lettuce producers?
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), an annual plant, belongs to the family Asteraceae. The plant is usually cultivated as a leaf vegetable in different parts of the world. Lettuce leaves are widely used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and similar food items.
World Leaders In Lettuce Production.
Rank | Country | Production,2013 (in millions of tonnes) |
---|---|---|
6 | World | 24.9 |
Who produces the most lettuce?
China
China was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China produced more than 16 million metric tons of lettuce in 2019.
Which country eats the most lettuce?
Lettuce is the only member of the genus Lactuca to be grown commercially. Although China is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is consumed domestically. Spain is the world’s largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second.
What climate does lettuce grow in?
60 to 65°F.
Lettuce is adapted to cool growing conditions with the optimum temperatures for growth of 60 to 65°F. At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool.
How long does lettuce take to grow?
All lettuces are easy to grow, however, loose leaf lettuces – any of the varieties that don’t form a firm heart – are probably the easiest to grow. Although it takes around 40 days for the plant to reach maturity, you will need to thin the seedlings out to allow more space for the mature plants.
Where is lettuce imported from?
United States imports Lettuce primarily from: Mexico ($343M), Canada ($49.2M), Belgium ($2.02M), Guatemala ($1.34M), and Netherlands ($1.25M). The fastest growing import markets in Lettuce for United States between 2019 and 2020 were Mexico ($31.6M), Italy ($79.1k), and France ($65.1k).
Where does lettuce grow best?
Growing a lettuce garden
Lettuce is a cool weather crop and is best grown in spring and fall. The seeds germinate in temperatures as low as 40 F (4 C) but its ideal germination and growing temperature is between 60 and 65 F (16 to 18 C).
How do you grow lettuce at home?
Lettuce seeds should be planted a half-inch deep, spaced according to their variety—for compact loose-leaf varieties, sow lettuce seeds four inches apart; for slightly larger varieties like romaine, sow seeds eight inches apart; for firm-head lettuce, sow sixteen inches apart. Leave about a foot of space between rows.
How do you grow leaf lettuce?
Start seeds indoors in early spring, or simply sow fresh seeds where you want them to grow. Scatter seeds atop prepared soil, about one-half inch apart, and barely cover them before patting them into place. Sow more seeds in summer for a fall crop.
How do you start lettuce?
To sow lettuce directly in the garden, simply plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep, tamp them down, and water. It’s that simple! Space the sowings according to packet directions that are based on the size of the mature lettuce. For example, a crisphead may require a square foot of garden space.
Where does America get its lettuce?
Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Although lettuce is produced in many states, California and Arizona dominate U.S. production. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent.
What country eats the least vegetables?
The lowest levels of vegetable consumption were in Latvia (44 per cent), Romania (41 per cent) and Hungary (30 per cent). Eighty per cent of people in Italy and 78 per cent in Portugal said they ate vegetables daily.
Which vegetable is consumed the most in the world?
In 2019, 49.4 pounds of potatoes per person and 31.4 pounds of tomatoes per person were available for consumption after adjusting for losses.
Does lettuce grow in hot weather?
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.
Does lettuce need a lot of water?
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.
What is the problem of lettuce?
Most salad greens turn bitter when daytime temperatures rise above 70°F (21°C). That’s how much temperature matters. Remember that lettuce is a cool-season vegetable and you’ll never try to grow it in the heat of summer again. Another reason that lettuce becomes bitter, is from too little water/moisture.
Does lettuce need full 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.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
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