Whether lamb's lettuce, rocket, iceberg lettuce, batavia lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, lettuce or the tried and tested head lettuce - the range of lettuce types seems almost endless. Although you are spoiled for choice, cultivation turns out to be extremely uncomplicated. But what should you take into account?
When and how should you plant lettuce?
Lettuce can be planted from March to August, although the ideal time depends on the variety. For optimal growth, lettuce needs a sunny to partially shaded location, loose, humus-rich and slightly loamy soil that is well ventilated and kept moist.
Where does salad feel most at home?
Lettuce needs a sunny to partially shaded location to grow he althily. It should not be planted in deep shade. While the surface should be sunny and moderately warm, the soil should be like this:
- easy
- humos
- keep moist
- slightly loamy
- well ventilated
Which are the good and which are the bad neighbors?
Lettuce goes well with many plants. Bush beans, carrots, radishes, cabbage, dill, peas, strawberries, tomatoes, onions and kohlrabi are particularly good neighbors for him. However, he cannot make friends with parsley and celery.
How does sowing work?
In principle, lettuce can be sown or planted from March to August. However, the specific recommended sowing date differs depending on the variety chosen:
- Lamb 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 soil. 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 grown early or sown in the cold frame. Lettuce should only be released into unprotected open ground after the last strong frost. In order to be able to harvest lettuce throughout the season, it is advisable to re-sow it every two to four weeks.
Are there any special care measures?
Lettuce is undemanding and easy to care for. It does not need any subsequent fertilizer application. It is enough to supply the plants with regular and even water. It is also advisable to check things every now and then and remove voracious snails from the lettuce leaves.
What should you pay attention to when harvesting?
The salad season lasts from spring to winter. Depending on the species and variety, it ripens at different times. For example, there are types of lettuce that should be harvested in the summer and those that should be harvested in the cold season.
When harvesting lettuce heads, the plant and its stalk should be cut off above the ground. But be careful: lettuce should not be harvested during or after flowering. Then the leaves are hard, bitter and significantly richer in nitrates.
Tips & Tricks
Due to its high he alth value, lettuce is not only an enrichment for people's diet. Animals such as dogs also experience new sensory experiences with salads in their diet.
