Whether lamb's lettuce, rocket, iceberg lettuce, batavia lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, lettuce or the proven lettuce - the range of lettuce seems almost endless. Although spoiled for choice, growing turns out to be downright straightforward. But what is there to consider?

Where does lettuce feel most comfortable?

Lettuce needs a sunny to partially shaded location to grow healthily. It should not be planted in the deep shade. While it should be sunny and moderately warm on the surface, the soil should be like this:

  • relaxed
  • humorous
  • keep moist
  • slightly loamy
  • well ventilated

Which are the good and which are the bad neighbors?

Lettuce goes well with many plants. For him, bush beans, carrots, radishes, cabbage, dill, peas, strawberries, tomatoes, onions and kohlrabi are particularly good neighbors. On the other hand, he cannot make friends with parsley and celery.

How is the sowing going?

In principle, lettuce can be sown or planted from March to August. However, the concrete recommended sowing date differs depending on the selected variety:

  • Lamb's lettuce: August to September or from April
  • Iceberg lettuce: May to August
  • Lettuce: March to April
  • hardy lettuce: August to September
  • Endive salad: June to July

As a rule, the lettuce seeds are sown 0.5 to 1 cm deep into the ground. To germinate successfully, they need an ambient temperature between 10 and 16 °C. After 10 to 14 days, the first cotyledons become visible.

Alternatively, lettuce can also be brought forward or sown in the cold frame. In the unprotected field, lettuce should only be planted after the last severe frost. In order to be able to harvest lettuce throughout the season, it is advisable to overseed it every two to four weeks.

Are there special care measures?

Lettuce is unpretentious and easy to care for. He does not need a later application of fertilizer. It is enough to water the plants regularly and evenly. It is also advisable to check on things from time to time and to remove voracious snails from the lettuce leaves.

What is there to consider when harvesting?

The lettuce season lasts from spring to winter. Depending on the type and variety, it matures at different times. For example, there are types of lettuce that are harvested in summer and those that are harvested in the cold season.

When harvesting lettuce heads, the plant should be cut off with its stalk above the ground. But be careful: lettuce should not be harvested during or after flowering. Then the leaves are hard, bitter and much richer in nitrate.

tips and tricks

Due to its high health value, lettuce is not only an enrichment for the human diet. Animals like dogs also experience new sensory experiences with salads in their diet.

Category:

Vegetable garden