Harvest Lettuce in Less than a Month

Most gardeners are used to playing the long game. We spend a lot of time implementing designs and then watch and wait as our gardens take small steps towards harvest season. However, the good news is that lettuce has the ability to satisfy our desire for instant gratification. Herbalicious lettuce germinates in a week or two and can be harvested between 25 to 75 days.

Lettuce is perfect in homemade burgers, crunchy wraps, or a delicious green salad.
 

How to Grow Lettuce

Adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, lettuce likes cooler weather ranging from 15C to 18C and it can tolerate cold and frost. That means it’s the perfect container plant for your kitchen window sill or enclosed patio, where they will have full sun or semi shade. Note that the hot South African summer sun and high temperatures can cause your plants to wilt or to bolt to seed.

Lettuce has shallow roots, and therefore needs water at least once a day.
 

So, lettuce learn how to grow these crispy green leaves:
 

• Start your seeds in seed trays three to four weeks before the last winter frost.
• Transplant them outdoors in the middle to late spring. They will grow well in cool, well-drained, loose soil with a pH of between 6.2 to 6.8.
• Make sure there’s plenty of organic compost matter in the soil.
• Frequent mulching will ensure that weeds are suppressed, and it will help retain moisture, which can promote faster growth.

You can harvest mature leaves from most lettuce types (excluding iceberg) at any time during the growing cycle. When the central stem begins to form, the plant is preparing to bolt to seed. At this point, leaves will be too bitter for consumption.

Before storing or using your home-grown lettuce, immerse the leaves in water and swish them around. Drip dry the leaves in a colander. You can store the dry leaves in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Alternatively, wrap it in paper towels and store it in a bowl in the refrigerator.

Store your lettuce away from bananas, pears, and apples that release natural ripening agents that can cause your lettuce leaves to decay quickly.

Order Herbalicious Lettuce Online

Our range of Incredible Edibles available in the Plantland Online Shop is truly INCREDIBLE.