Lettuce as we know it today originated from the weed Lactuca serriola (prickly lettuce). There is evidence that lettuce was cultivated during Egyptian times. Lettuce is easy to grow in many climates. Lettuce can be tucked in flowerbeds, grown under cucumber trellises or in raised beds and containers. Lettuce can be started indoors or direct seeded in the garden.
There are several types of lettuce and many cultivars to choose from - each with its own texture, taste, and color.
Crisp head lettuce (a.k.a. iceberg lettuce) is a crispy and juicy type. It needs to be planted early.
Butterhead lettuce, Boston lettuce, or Bibb lettuce is a soft and succulent type. It has large leaves that form a loose head that can be harvested all at once.
Leaf lettuce is the easiest kind of lettuce to grow. The leaves form an open rosette and lettuce leaves can be harvested singly.
Summer Crisp lettuce is also known as French crisp lettuce or Batavia lettuce. It is a crisp lettuce that can be harvested at any stage.
Romaine lettuce or Cos lettuce has long, broad leaves that form bunches when mature. It is sweet, crispy, and juicy.
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Articles & Papers
The Farm & Garden library contains the following articles and papers on the subject of lettuce:
- Growing Lettuce by Farm & Garden
- Search for more
Forum Discussions
The Farm & Garden Forums are a great resource for getting answers to your questions about how to start, grow, water, harvest, and prepare lettuce. Here are a few select discussions:
- Need suggestions for salad greens to grow by Buffalogal
- growing leaf lettuce by conaj
- snails in my garden by kimmiegirl99
- Is lettuce frost tolerant? by Buffalogal
- Growing container vegetables by MaxiGreen
- all discussions involving lettuce
Lettuce Seeds
Here are a few sources of lettuce seeds to get you started.
Tools, Equipment, and Supplies
Sometimes the right tool or the right gadget can make your task much easier and your time in the garden more productive. Here's a list of tools and equipment suppliers that may have what you're looking for.
- Gardener's Supply Company
- Thompson & Morgan
- GEMPLER'S Online Store
- Gardening tools from Amazon
- Irrigation supplies from Amazon
- Seeders from Amazon
- Garden Carts from Amazon
- Row covers from Amazon
- Greenhouses from Amazon
Books
Here are some books we found that might help you with your lettuce.
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