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Growing Strawberries

 

  • Ideal Soil pH: 

  • Ideal Climate: 

  • Daily sunlight for mature bushes: 

  • Watering mature bushes:  

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Step 1: Choosing a Location to Plant Lettuce

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Lettuce grows best in areas that get approximately 6 hours of morning to early afternoon sunlight and then are shaded or partially shaded for the hottest parts of the day. Lettuce grows quickly so it is best to grow small amounts at a time and stagger your plantings to once a week.

Step 2: Choosing Lettuce Seeds

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Lettuce is one of those veggies that has an incredible variety to choose from that are all easy to grow so it is fun to choose an assortment of types to give a shot. It is also common to find seed packets with 5-10 different varieties mixed together which are great for small backyard gardens.

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Where to Get Seeds

Lettuce seeds are easy to find at almost any home improvement or garden store. As always, there are almost an unlimited amount of varieties online and it is always best to opt for organic if you can.

Step 3: Preparing Soil for Growing Lettuce

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Remove any weeds, rocks, or debris from the planting area. It's essential to provide lettuce with a clean growing environment. Use a garden fork or a tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 to 8 inches. This will improve soil aeration, drainage, and root penetration. Be careful not to compact the soil during this process. Mix in organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure. Aim to incorporate about 2 to 4 inches of compost into the top 6 inches of soil.

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Step 4: Planting Lettuce Seeds

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Lettuce seeds are tiny, so it's essential to sow them thinly and shallowly. Scatter the seeds evenly over the prepared soil surface, spacing them about 6 to 8 inches apart in rows. Gently press the seeds into the soil using the back of a rake or your hand. Cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil or compost, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Firm the soil gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. After planting, water the soil thoroughly but gently to settle the seeds and provide moisture for germination. Use a fine mist or a watering can with a rose attachment to avoid disturbing the seeds.

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Step 5: Watering Lettuce

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Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination period, which typically takes 7 to 14 days. Water the seedlings regularly, especially during dry spells, to prevent the soil from drying out.

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Its best to water in the morning hours when the moisture is able to penetrate the soil before it evaporates. It is also good practice to focus the watering around the base of the plant and avoid watering the foliage to reduce the chance of diseases developing.

Step 6: Fertilizing Lettuce

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Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the base of the lettuce plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Additionally, you can fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks to promote healthy growth.

Step 7: Harvesting Lettuce

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Lettuce can be harvested when the leaves reach the desired size, typically 4 to 6 inches long. You can either pick individual leaves as needed or cut the entire head about 1 inch above the soil surface for a cut-and-come-again harvest. 

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Time to Harvest:

  • Leaf Lettuce - 4 to 6 weeks

  • Romaine Lettuce - 6 to 8 weeks

  • Head Lettuce - 8 to 12 weeks

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