Sowing lettuce

[nachoqtpie]

So, I'm staring at a package of mesclun, and a package of butter lettuce. I had written down on my garden chart that I wanted an entire 4x8 bed full of lettuce. I also wrote down in my garden log that I was supposed to sow lettuce on 2-15. Do you think it's too late to sow lettuce now in the garden? I guess I just didn't believe that if I sowed the lettuce/mesculen in my uncovered raised beds that they would grow at all.
What do you guys think? Should I direct sow some this weekend in my uncovered raised beds? Our last frost date is 15March.

 

[digitS']

It sounds as tho' you are concerned about both the cold soil and the prospect of too much heat. I think this is an ideal time for sowing lettuce relative to the last frost.

Yes, lettuce will sprout in only 15 days if the seed lies in soil that is only 41F. But, lettuce seed will sprout in only 3 days if sown soil that is 68. 59 and 50 soil temperatures are nearly as quick to germinate lettuce.

Of course, lettuce seed lies just below the soil surface so temperature will vary a good deal thru every 24hrs. If daytime temperatures were running up into the high 80's and 90's, you may have a problem. Certainly, you could have a problem if the soil dries quickly.

I have lettuce to transplant out even in early summer. The seed is started in containers in a shady part of the yard. This seems to work fairly well, I just have to keep track of the seedlings' water needs. They are really, already hardened off for the open garden but I set them in a corner that gets more and more afternoon shade the further back in that corner they go.

I hope that helps.

Steve

 

[retiredwith4acres]

It is fine to sow lettuce now. BUT, I would sow some now, some in a week or two, and again in another week or two. It goes a lot further than you would think and if you cut them off little above dirt level lots of them will continue to grow more leaves. That way you will have succession of lettuce and it won't all be ready at once. If the temps get below freezing I would cover with a blanket or quilt maybe but it is a cold hardy plant. I had lettuce growing through several frosts/freezes last fall and didn't get them covered every time. I am getting ready to plant my second sowing in the next day or two when the soil dries out a little.

 

[nachoqtpie]

Thanks guys!! I guess I will start some this weekend.