There are a lot of reasons as to why your lettuce is only producing small leaves and each of these will be discussed in this article one by one including the symptoms and remedies. 

Causes of small lettuce leaves

1. Too little or too much soil moisture

What to look out for:

Wilted leaves, poor plant growth,  soggy soil

What to do:

Unregulated soil moisture can highly affect the overall growth of your lettuce plant. For instance, when there is insufficient soil moisture, there is a huge tendency for your plant to wilt and manifest poor growth, including production of small lettuce leaves. On the other hand, excessive soil moisture may result in root rot which is also one of the common causes of leaf discoloration.

To fix this, make sure to plant your lettuce in rich, moist soil with good drainage and water it regularly, about an inch every week, to avoid drought and overwatering. 

2. High temperatures

What to look out for:

Thin leaves, slow leaf production

What to do:

Since lettuce thrives better in colder temperatures, extreme heat can adversely affect its growth, particularly the leaf production. When exposed to too much heat, not only will the leaves wilt, but the entire plant will also reduce its leaf production, with a possibility of producing smaller leaves. So, the best thing to do is plan your planting season ahead and grow your lettuce only during the cool weather, or if you insist on planting even during the summer, choose a heat-resistant variety.

3. Nematodes

What to look out for:

Distorted leaves, swollen roots/twigs, leaf discoloration

What to do:

Nematodes are pests that feast on lettuce plants by burrowing through the soil and infecting the roots. When not prevented, this infestation will crawl up to the new growth, affecting the plant’s leaves. Results can vary between producing thin, smaller leaves, wilting, and die back. Some of the troubleshooting that you can do is by watering your lettuce regularly, applying ample amounts of fertilizer, or totally removing the entire plant at the end of the season to prevent the nematodes from spreading.

4. Fungal disease

What to look out for:

Leaf drop, poor plant growth, stem and root rot

What to do:

Sclerotinia minor and Sclerotinia sclerotioru are two of the most common fungal diseases that affect lettuce plants. These fungal diseases cause rot or withering of roots, stems, and leaves which then lead to slow and poor plant growth, and eventually collapsing and dying. To fix this, start by removing the infected leaves to avoid damaging other lettuce leaves and then transfer the entire plant into a better garden bed with good drainage.

Other growing problems and diseases

Growing your own lettuce in your own garden guarantees you an abundant food supply. You can make it into a salad, add crisp to your sandwich, make some lettuce wraps for lunch, and many more. But, not only us human beings enjoy this green, crunchy crop. Pests, fungi, and other diseases also tend to thrive on this plant. 

Here are some of the problems and diseases that you may probably encounter when growing your own lettuce plant.

1. Sunburn

Sunburn does not only happen to human beings, but apparently to lettuce as well. Since lettuce thrives better in colder temperatures, it easily gets sunburned when exposed to too much full sun. To protect your lettuce from extreme sun exposure, you can cover it with shade cloth or plant it in a bed that has more shade. 

How will you know if your lettuce is sunburned? Observe the leaf tips. If they turn brown and basically look burned, then it is clearly a sign of sunburn.

2. Snails and slugs

Aside from bunnies and turtles, do you know who else loves lettuce? Snail and slugs. But, unlike bunnies and turtles, these two molluscs are actually considered as pests that feed on growing lettuce, causing them to leave trails of silver slime and leaving the crop half eaten. 

To be able to get rid of these snails and slugs, you can initially clean up your garden and make it debris-free so they don’t have a place to hide. Next is set up a shelter-trap; or you could also attract and drown them with a shallow dish of beer with lip.

3. Downy mildew

Downy mildew is a fungal disease that spreads from one plant to another by airborne spores. You can easily spot if your lettuce is suffering from downy mildew when you notice some pale yellowish spots forming on the surface of the lettuce leaves and grayish purple molds on the undersides. Since this fungal disease rapidly spreads not only within the crop but also across other plants, it is important that you get rid of it the quickest time possible.

Improving air circulation and keeping your garden debris-free can greatly contribute to minimizing the spreading of downy mildew. Moist environment also increases the chances of your lettuce from getting the fungal disease so it is recommended that you water your plant in the morning so it has enough time to dry out during the day.

4. Aster yellows

Another lettuce disease transmitted by leafhoppers is the Aster yellows. When infected, the leaves at the center of the heads are twisted, stunted, narrow, and yellow. While there is no available treatment for this disease yet, the least that you can do is eliminate the infected plant to avoid the disease from transmitting to other plants. 

5. Mosaic virus

Another commonly encountered virus that attacks on lettuce is the Mosaic Virus. This virus is mainly caused by aphids and leafhoppers that makes the lettuce leaves slightly spotted and turns the leaves yellow and stunted. What’s hard about this virus is that when your plant already showed symptoms, there really is not much that you can do to control it from spreading but to get rid of the infected leaves. 

To avoid this from happening in the future, you could add some aluminum mulch on your soil to disorient the aphids. It will also be helpful if you make your garden free from weeds where aphids and leafhoppers nestle. 

Read more about Lettuce

How To Harvest Lettuce Without Killing The Plant?

Everyone Can Grow Lettuce

17 Fastest Growing Vegetables From Seed

Tips on growing lettuce properly

Lettuce can be quite picky when it comes to its growing environment, thus you have to make sure that you meet all of its growing requirements to be able to harvest good quality and best tasting lettuce. While there is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid all types of growing problems and diseases that may destroy the quality of your lettuce, you can still follow these useful tips to help you manage your lettuce plants properly.

1. Keep the soil cool and moist

Adding organic mulch at the surface of the soil will keep it cool and moist which is beneficial to the overall growth of your lettuce plant. Especially during the warmer weather, it is important to still grow your lettuce in its preferred growing condition to avoid it from wilting or producing poor quality leaves. 

2. Provide a steady supply of nitrogen

3 weeks after transplanting, it is necessary that you feed your lettuce with nitrogen rich fertilizers for it to continue to grow. If it happens that your soil is not high in organic materials, you can make do with it by adding plenty of compost and slow-release fertilizers. Also make sure that the soil is well-draining to minimize the possibility of root rot.

3. Water only when necessary

While lettuce thrives well in moist soil and cool conditions, it does not mean that you need to water it frequently. To avoid the possibility of root rot, only water your lettuce when deemed necessary particularly if it shows signs of wilting. Ideally, lettuce only needs watering once twice a week or every 5 days. 

4. Sow additional seeds

For you to maximize your lettuce harvest all throughout the season, it is recommended that you sow additional lettuce seeds every two weeks so you can continue harvesting your crop before the season ends. Make sure to plant your lettuce in shaded areas or underneath the taller crops where it can be protected from direct sunlight.

5. Companion planting

Part of providing a good growing environment for your lettuce is to master companion planting. For instance, since lettuce is prone to aphids infestation, it will be beneficial if you plant it near the garlic and chives as these two are known as great aphids repellent. Similarly, marigold is also a good option to help keep bugs away from your lettuce.

Other crops and vegetables that are believed to be great companions of lettuce are carrots, asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, beets, sunflower, coriander, etc. On the other hand, be cautious not to plant lettuce near cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts. 

Benefits of lettuce leaves

Aside from being a good main ingredient in vegetarian and vegan recipes, lettuce leaves are also known as a good source of a lot of health benefits. Take a look at this comprehensive list below. 

• Contains anti-inflammatory properties
• Flushes out body toxins
• Helps impede insomnia and control anxiety
• Regulated and increased metabolism
• Provides protection against cancer, heart complications and other diseases
• Generates cells and refreshes skin
• Helps lower cholesterol level

The post Why Are My Lettuce Leaves So Small And How To Fix It? appeared first on Plant2Harvest.

Harvesting lettuce is relatively easy and when done properly can prolong the plant’s life and encourage vigorous and health growth.

So, if you are ready to indulge yourself with some delicious lettuce wraps or hearty green salad, prepare your gardening equipment, take note of these harvesting steps, methods, and tricks and make your first successful lettuce harvest.

Growing Conditions

If you are maintaining a garden in a relatively cooler area and thinking what kind of plant will grow best in that condition, lettuce can be one of your best options. Growing this cold-loving plant can be quite a work so in order to successfully harvest a good quality one, you will need to follow some of these growing guides written below.

1. Weather Conditions

Lettuce grows well in cooler places with a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees F (15-18 degrees C) as warmer weather tends to make its leaves taste bitter. When the temperature reaches 80 degrees F (26 °C), the plant will flower and produce seeds. It can tolerate a temperature of up to 85 degrees F (29  °C), for as long as the nights are cool. 

2. Sun Exposure

Since lettuce thrives well in cooler conditions, it prefers to be exposed in partial sun. Especially if you are growing your lettuce in warmer areas, you should plant your lettuce in partially shaded areas or spots in your garden that receive only a few amount of sunlight in the morning.

If your entire garden is on the sunnier side of the Earth, you can use a nylon net or a screen to cover your lettuce and protect it from direct full sunlight.

3. Soil Requirements

If you want to grow healthy and fresh lettuce, you must plant them in rich, moist soil and at the same time well-drained with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adding organic compost and constant supply of nitrogen will make your lettuce grow faster and healthier.

Keeping the soil moist but also well-drained can be quite tricky that is why you have to monitor the condition of the soil at all times.

4. Watering

Lettuce grows better when watered regularly. Not receiving an adequate amount of water will definitely affect its growth as well as the quality and taste of its leaves. If you are growing lettuce in warmer areas, you might need to water it more frequently than usual. 

On the average, you need to water your lettuce one or twice a week or every after 4 to 5 days. However, be cautious not to overwater your plant.

5. Fertilizer

If you are already growing your lettuce in a fertile soil, there is no need for you to use any more fertilizers. But, in case you have to work with poor soil, choose the nitrogen-rich fertilizer as this element is an important factor in encouraging a healthy and vigorous lettuce growth.

6. Companion Planting

Lettuce needs a companion plant are natural insect repellants and some of the best options you have will be chives and garlic. These plants are known to drive away aphids which are the main pests that feast on lettuce. 

There are also other herbs, plants, and vegetables that may not be as good in repelling pests as the ones mentioned above but they grow better when planted side by side with lettuce.

Harvest Period

• Romaine Lettuce- This type of lettuce typically reaches its maturity in a matter of 65 to 70 days. You will also know that they are ready for harvest when the leaves are lush, dark green in color and open.
• Loose Leaf- You will know that your loose leaf lettuce is ready to be harvested when the leaves are about 4 inches long. But, make sure to harvest your lettuce before it bolts as it may change the quality and taste of the leaves.
• Butterhead lettuce- After planting, it usually takes 55-60 days before a butterhead lettuce can be harvested. Another indication that your butterhead lettuce has already reached maturity is when the head is compact and firm to touch and the size is about 6 to 8 inches in diameter.

Process Of Harvesting Lettuce

Lettuce comes in plenty of varieties but these 4 are the main or common types found in most of the gardens, farmer’s market, or grocery stores, namely: romaine, loose leaf, butterhead, and iceberg. 

For this article, we will only tackle the first three types. Since each of these lettuce types has their unique harvesting process, we will discuss them one by one.

1. Romaine Lettuce

In harvesting romaine lettuce, you can choose among two options: pick up the entire head all at once or harvest the outer leaves and leave the inner portion to continue thriving.

1. There are two ways to harvest the head of the lettuce all at once, but since your plan to harvest without killing the entire plant, we will only consider one method.
2. To harvest romaine lettuce all at once, you need to cut it from the base, about 1 inch above the surface of the soil, leaving the roots intact on the ground. 
3. In another 55 to 60 days, you will be able to harvest another romaine lettuce, however the leaves might be a little looser than the first one.
4. Alternatively, you can just harvest romaine lettuce by simply picking the outer leaves.
5. To do this, carefully yet firmly snap the leaf from the base of the plant. Remember to twitch it downwards to avoid pulling off the entire plant.
6. Let the inner leaves grow further until they are 4 inches tall and ready to be harvested.

B. Loose Leaf

1. Once the leaves of a loose leaf lettuce grow to at least 4 inches tall, it means that they are ready to be harvested. 
2. Closely similar to the process of harvesting romaine lettuce, snip each leaf off of the plant just above the crown. Cutting into or below the crown will definitely kill your entire plant.
3. You could also harvest a bunch of leaves all at once by using a sharp pair of garden shears and cutting above the crown of the plant.
4. For your loose leaf lettuce to continue to grow, harvest the older and mature leaves first and leave the new, younger ones.

C. Butterhead Lettuce

Similar to romaine lettuce, harvesting butterhead lettuce can also be done in two different methods. You could either harvest the entire head or just pick a few leaves as you need them. 

1. In doing the first method, you will need a sharp knife or garden shears. Avoid pulling off the head from the ground, otherwise the entire plant will die.
2. Using your one hand, grab the outer leaves of the butterhead lettuce and use the other to cut the entire head from the base of the plant. Make sure that the roots are left still intact onto the ground.
3. In two to three weeks, the roots will grow another bunch of leaves which you can harvest for the second time.
4. The other way to harvest butterhead lettuce is by picking off a single or a bunch of leaves, as needed.
5. Butterhead lettuce grows new leaves from the center so to encourage your lettuce to grow further, harvest the outer leaves first.
6. You could either use your finger to snap the leaves off of the head or cut them using a pair of scissors or garden shears. Just make sure not to damage the crown of the plant.

Storing And Using

1. If you are storing a type of lettuce that has a firm core, for example, romaine or iceberg, the first thing that you have to do is to cut the core first to prolong its shelf life. You can skip this part if you are storing any lettuce with loose and tender leaves like buttehead and loose leaf.
2. Wrap the head or loose leaves with a few plies of paper towels. This process will absorb any excess water from the lettuce, at the same time will keep the leaves moist. You could damp the paper towel if the lettuce leaves feel quite dry.
3. Put the leaves inside a container, whether it is a ziplock bag or a plastic tub. Squeeze out some air from the plastic bag but do not entirely compress it. If you are using a solid plastic container, you could leave a small opening to let some air circulate. More air in the container will brown the edges of the leaves, while poor respiration will affect the taste, so it is important that the amount of air inside the container is only controlled.
4. Place the lettuce inside the crisper compartment and be careful not to compress it with heavy items that will crush the leaves.

The post How To Harvest Lettuce Without Killing The Plant? appeared first on Plant2Harvest.

You’ve probably heard or tasted lettuce in salads, soups, or sandwich. This is a vegetarian favorite or a health conscious favorite since it contains a lot of nutrients, which is great for your health and body. 

In fact, some people call this green leafy vegetable a wonder veggie. It is rich in calcium, vitamins, Folate, and Potassium. You really can’t complain with all the health benefits of lettuce. 

There are also a number of uses for Lettuce. Of course, you could add it to your favorite salad, but you could also place it in soup or your favorite hamburger or sandwich. 

It has a mild nutty taste that complements the sweetness of other salad vegetables and the saltiness or acidity of the dressing. It also has a dry and crunchy texture that closely relates it to its cabbage family. 

Consuming lettuce is really the right way of treating yourself. Aside from the health benefits that it gives to you upon consumption, it also gives therapeutic benefits that could relieve stress and fatigue. 

That’s why I am a number one lettuce fan. I make sure that I include this vegetable in my diet plan. It’s one of the vegetables that you could add when you’re having a cheat day.

 I need a long lasting supply, so I grow them in my garden. 

Nothing beats a fresh lettuce. Other than buying it in the grocery or the nearest market, harvesting your fresh lettuce and serving it to your family would be really satisfying. 

Grow Your Own Lettuce

Lettuce came from the family of Asteraceae family. This green leafy plant is a cool season type of plant. 

While the benefits of this plant would be a long list, you will be amazed at how easy to grow this plant. This vegetable should be weeks before the spring and fall frost. They could even withstand extreme weather conditions. 

It’s perfect for gardening beginners like you. It won’t need a lot of background in gardening and you won’t need to exert extreme work to successfully harvest mature lettuce leaves.

It won’t need a lot of space; it could grow in containers. It could also be used as an ornamental since some varieties could yield beautiful looking leaves. You could choose from purple to green leaves or flat to curly leaves. 

You see: this plant could be the winner of the least maintenance plant. 

The only obstacle you will be facing is diseases and pests. Since the majority of the plant part is left alone, you might encounter more pests than usual. This plant is also notorious for rot diseases. 

While growing lettuce is really easy, but the pest and disease prevention might take more effort, this plant is really rewarding to plant. Especially because there are a number of benefits in consuming it.

HOW TO GROW LETTUCE:
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM PLANTING TO HARVEST

Are you excited to start your gardening project? If this is you first gardening project, don’t worry. I’ll give you all the information you need for a better yield and plant growth. So hurry and get your pen and paper because Lettuce Gardening Class is about to start. 

Planting Lettuce

How do I choose the right variety of lettuce?

Aside from the green leafy lettuce that we all know and love, there are other varieties of lettuce that could surprise you. It naturally differs on form, taste, color of the leaves. You may want to check out some of my top lettuce varieties here:

1. Crisp Head or Iceberg
   
   From the name itself, this variety is different from the other since it has a tight head of crisp leaves. You’ve probably encountered this on salad bars and your favorite cheese burger. It’s not the easiest plant to grow because it is particular in temperature.
   
   
2. Summer Crisp, French Crisp, or Batavian
   
   This group of lettuce is right in the middle of crisphead and looseleaf. This variety is known for being resistant to bolting. It is also the largest lettuce family among the other groups.
   
   
3. Butterhead, Bibb, or Boston
   
   Lastly, Butterhead is a delicate one. It has a gradient color of light green on the inside and green on the outside with ruffled leaves. This is a lot easier to grow than the crispheads because they are more tolerant to conditions. 

Some other notable mentions are Romaine (Cos) and Looseleaf ( Leaf, Cutting, or Bunching. These varieties are also premium in taste and look. 

There are actually a lot of varieties to choose from under each group. Just determine your goal for planting lettuce.

If you want experience, go with the easy ones.

If you need lettuce for garnish, go with the beautiful and colorful ones.

And if you need lettuce for commercial production, go for the easiest ones to grow. 

Where can I find lettuce seeds?

Look for lettuce seeds from nurseries and gardening shop near you. Make sure to choose quality or disease-resistant varieties to avoid other diseases. 

You may also want to check this seeds from Amazon. I personally use them because of the quality of leaves that these produce.

It’s important to look for seeds that came from healthy and premium quality mother plant. 

It could actually grow again after harvest, that’s why you could start out with minimal plants.

After harvesting the leaves, this plant could regrow leaves again for your next harvest. With this amount of lettuce, you might be eating salads for the next few months. 

When is the best time to plant lettuce?

Lettuce should be planted before the spring and fall frost. This type of plant could tolerate fall and spring frosts, so they grow well during the spring and fall.

To be specific, plant two weeks before spring frost and eight weeks before fall frost. 

That’s why the optimum time to plant lettuce is during early spring and fall. 

But if you live in a cool-summer region, plant the seeds during early spring to harvest during the summer or early fall.

On the other hand, if you are living in a hot-summer region, plant lettuce in late summer for a late fall or winter harvest. 

What is the best container to use when planting lettuce? 

For this gardening lesson, we will be planting lettuce in garden beds, not in containers.

But we will be using small pots for growing the seedling before transplanting.

A small pot or seedling tray will work for this. 

But if you wish to place your lettuce plant in a container, choose a pot with at least six inches deep. They won’t need a deeper container since they have shallow roots. 

For better results in yield, choose a shallow and wide pot. You may choose any container material. Whether plastic or clay pots, lettuce could grow well in this. 

How do I plant lettuce seeds?

You may want to either direct seed into the garden bed or plant this separately to let the seedlings grow.

I prefer planting in separate containers first and transplanting it to the garden bed. 

Transplanting is actually proven to be faster in letting the plant mature. 

Maturity of plant also depends on the variety of lettuce. Crisphead takes 75 to 100 days to mature, and Romaine may take 75 to 85 days. While looseleaf and butterhead could be harvested anytime. 

Plant 2 weeks before the last spring frost or eight weeks before the last fall frost.

Place one to two seeds per container a quarter or a half deep into the soil. Make sure not to leave the soil dry out because this plant needs enough moisture on the soil.

This could germinate quickly, given the right environmental conditions. Seeds start to germinate in seven to ten days, but for faster growth, place it outside under direct sunlight. 

How do I prepare for transplanting lettuce?

Since lettuce plant has a majority of leaves to grow and develop, a rich soil is recommended in making this grow. This means that the soil is full of nutrients from organic matter. 

The most preferred soil temperature for planting lettuce is 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit which is relatively cooler. It could handle frost during fall and spring. But just like other plants, it might not survive an inclement cold weather conditions. 

To start, loosen the top 10 inches deep of soil. Then, add compost or organic fertilizer into the mixing it at least one inch into the soil. 

Moreover, prepare the seedlings to be transplanted since the will encounter change in weather conditions. You may start hardening off seeds that are three weeks old. 

Harden the seeds off by slowly introducing it outside. Transfer the seed tray outside. Start by transferring it in a minimum time then, gradually giving it more time outside. 

How do I plant lettuce?

If you’re planting during the colder season, find a great spot to get full sun exposure. This plant is a cool-weather crop that can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

But take note that the optimum germination temperature is 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 

After four weeks, transplant the seedlings into the garden bed.

A seedling with four to six mature leaves are ready to be transplanted.

Take note also that transplanting should be scheduled near the last frost-free date.

Although this plant could withstand cold weather conditions, strong winter frost could hinder their growth. 

Plant a quarter to a half inch of the seedlings deep into the soil. 

Plant each seedling 12 – 15 inches apart from one another. This would give them enough space to grow and spread out their leaves. This would also give enough space for air circulation. 

However, the spaces also depend on the type of lettuce you are planting. For leaf lettuce, plant 4 inches apart. For cos and loose headed, plant 8 inches apart. While firm headed should be planted 16 inches apart. 

You could actually grow lettuce in containers or raised beds. It actually depends on the space you have in your home. If you have a bigger space, I highly suggest to plant lettuce on your garden beds. 

Growing Lettuce

How and when do I thin my lettuce plant?

Since we transplanted the plant into the garden soil, enough space has been given to the lettuce plant to grow. Thinning should not be employed anymore. 

Heavily mulch the soil after the first hard freeze. The effect of mulch in the soil will result in enough moisture that is conducive for the growth of lettuce. It also results in weed prevention. 

How can I properly water my lettuce plant? 

Water the plants regularly, but do not overwater them. Overwatering is not the worst case, but underwatering the plant. 

Keep the soil moist to encourage growth in this plant. A retained moisture in the soil also results to sweeter and crisper leaves.

This plant could also tell you if it needs watering. When the leaves start to dry, water the plant thoroughly. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. When it needs water, it shall be given to maintain the quality of the soil. 

That’s why it’s better to keep your soil moisturized at all times by regularly watering the plant. 

Which fertilizer should I use for my lettuce plant and when do I use it? 

Since this type of crop relies on the beauty and freshness of its leaves, you must ensure that the leaves are highly pigmented, crips, and fresh. 

That’s why you should always put compost every three weeks.

If you want to use fertilizer, you may opt for a fertilizer that could boost growth and are good for healthy leaves. 

This is what nitrogen induced fertilizers are for. They are highly beneficial to the growth of the leaves. I personally use organic fertilizers like fish emulsion to avoid chemical content on your harvest.

Maintaining an organic growth is still our priority. 

How much sun does my lettuce plant need?

Since this plant is popular for its crunchy and fresh leaves, the leaves should be again prioritized.

To ensure quality, a partly sun exposure to full sun exposure is required. 

However, too much heat could result to dryness and bitter taste to the plant. Be sure to water the soil well to ensure that moisture is retained on the soil, even if the weather is too hot or humid. 

Which climate better suits lettuce? (Best Hardiness Zones)

While this plant does not require a certain type of weather to grow, it thrives best in Hardiness 4 onwards. 

As mentioned a lot of times, this plant is cold-loving plant. Therefore, it should be planted on cooler areas, which means that hot and humid weather conditions should be avoided. But it could withstand warm weather conditions. 

However, full sun exposure is still paramount since their primary crop is their leaves. And leaves need sun exposure in order to have big, crispy, and pigmented leaves. 

They could also thrive in part sun exposure, but again, if you want best results expose them in full sun exposure. 

How long does it take to grow lettuce and what should I expect in each growing stage?

It usually depends on the variety that you are planting and the location you are planting. This will greatly affect the time of harvest, but it usually takes 75 to 120 days of harvest. 

Since the harvest time is not that long, the growth stages are actually few. On the first weeks, the seed germinates to form seedlings. 

After five to six weeks, this will have four to six leaves. Then, it is ready to be transplanted to the garden bed. 

Then, after 10 to 17 weeks, the leaves are fully developed and are ready for harvest. Unfortunately, this plant will not regrow once you cut the leaves. You have to start from scratch and plant again via seeds. 

What are the common diseases and pests of lettuce and how do I avoid It?

Since lettuce is a member of the Asteraceae  family, this plant is a favorite of small insects and fungal diseases.

The most notorious pest of this type of plants is aphids, while the most common disease would be rot type. 

To better diagnose the type of disease or identify the species of the pest, you may refer to the details below. I also gave tips on how I usually deal with these pests and diseases. 

1. Slugs & Snails
   
   The early sign of this infestation is the presence of holes in the leaves. This infestation could lead to serious impact in your crops, especially since you wanted to maintain fresh and healthy leaves.
   
   To manage this pest, you should maintain a clean garden ground. Make sure to clean the trash and regularly employ weeding.
   
   
2. Shot Hole
   
   This type of disease is caused by fungi called Microdochium pannatonianum.
   
   You could easily see the signs through water soaked tan spots in your plant. But the worst case scenario is the falling out of leaves, leaving a shot hole look in the plant.
   
   To manage this, you should rotate the crops and avoid watering over the plant. Water directly to the soil.
   
3. Aphids
   
   Aphids are small insects that is a member of the family Aphidoidea. They usually suck on the sap of lettuce.
   
   To manage this pest, make use of natural predators that could control the population of insects. 

What other crops could I plant together with lettuce?

If you are like some gardeners who wants to maximize the planting space, you could opt for companion planting. However, keep in mind that not all plants go well with each other. 

Just like us humans, there are just certain types of plants that would go well with lettuce in the garden bed. Here are some of the best plants you could plant near lettuce for a mutually beneficial growth. 

1. Beets
2. Carrots
3. Parsnips
4. Strawberries
5. Onion
6. Asparagus
7. Radishes
8. Spinach
9. Sunflower
10. Coriander

Make sure to plant this plant near herbs. Since this plant attracts leaf-eating insects, they need to be near insect repellants. Good thing most herbs are natural insect repellants. 

Moreover, you could also plant it to plants that attracts the natural predator of the most notorious pests of lettuce. 

What are the crops that will not go well with lettuce?

On the other hand, you should not plant lettuce beside broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. Make sure that they are kept away from your lettuce plant for a happy growth and harvest. 

Harvesting Lettuce

When is the best time to harvest lettuce?

Lettuce usually matures after 70 to 120 days when planted outdoors, but if you planted indoors, it might take more time to grow.

This is because direct exposure to sunlight is paramount for the growth of this plant. 

Afterwards, look at the growth of the plant. Mature plant is determined when the plant leaves are the same growth as your hand or more. 

But you could actually harvest smaller or immature leaves. These leaves are usually used for salads. They have additional crisp, but the taste is a bit bitter. 

The bigger leaves are usually used in cooking preparations, while the smaller leaves are used for salads. 

How do I harvest lettuce?

To harvest lettuce, you don’t need tools and equipment. This could be done manually through your hands. This is actually less labor-intensive than other plants when harvested. 

Start by the leaves one by one. For your first harvest, take a fistful of leaves by manually picking the leaves to the bottom-most part. 

Just get the outer leaves. Don’t harvest the inner ones yet. 

This helps in regrowing the leaves for the next harvest. This plant will regrow as long as the temperature is conducive for their growth which is 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This actually results in better crops since colder weather results to sweeter and crisper leaves. 

Make sure that the plant is not too mature when you harvest. This may result in bitter and woody leaves that’s no longer tasty or crisp for cooking or raw eating. 

Harvesting could last up to several months, especially if you harvested after a frost. This will make the leaves sweeter and crisper. 

But monitor the strength and quality of your plant. Ensure that they are still viable to produce. If not, you have to start again from the start. 

What is the best way to store the lettuce that I have harvested?

Before storing it in the refrigerator, wash lettuce properly. Look for damages that might be caused by infestation from bugs or fungi. Since this plant is usually eaten raw, it’s usually best to feed your family, friends, or yourself with healthy lettuce.

After making sure that each leaf is free from diseases or pest infestation, rinse of the excess water to avoid mold growth. Afterwards, place it in a plastic bag to avoid contamination. Then, place it on a vegetable chiller at the bottom-most location of the refrigerator. 

This fresh lettuce could last up to one week. 

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