The germinating seeds of iceberg lettuce can be sown from spring to summer. Important criteria for the formation of crisp lettuce heads are site conditions, sowing depth and planting distance. Read the best tips for sowing ice lettuce productively here.
What is the best way to sow iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is sown in spring inseed traysandpotsor directly in thebedfrom May onwards. Cover theLichtkeimer only thinly with soil. In a bright location at 10° to 15° Celsius, the seeds germinate within 2 weeks.
When should iceberg lettuce be sown?
Iceberg lettuce is sown fromFebruary to August. The harvest time for ice cream lettuce begins just eight to twelve weeks after sowing. Batavia lettuce, a new type of iceberg lettuce, is the quickest to harvest.
Because the window for sowing is from spring to autumn, you can harvest iceberg lettuce several times if you stagger the sowingYou can do this from February to May sow under glass. After the Ice Saints, direct sowing outdoors is possible.
Where can you sow iceberg lettuce?
The best location for sowing iceberg lettuce issunny to partially shaded In the bed, the seeds germinate in loose, fresh garden soil with a pH value between 5.5 and 7.5 Temperatures at the sowing location above 15° Celsius have a detrimental effect on germination and later head formation. You can sow iceberg lettuce at these locations:
- Mid-February to early/mid-May: greenhouse, cold frame, winter garden, windowsill.
- Mid-May to early August: bed, balcony, terrace.
How to sow iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce can be sown inseed traysandpotsor directlyoutdoors. TheLichtkeimer are only thinly covered with soil. In the bed, make the seed grooves at a distance of 30 cm. At temperatures between 10° and 15° Celsius, the germination time is 7 to 14 days.
Lettuce plants with cotyledons that have been grown in the seed tray are transplanted into 5 cm deep pots and planted outdoors after the ice saints. The planting distance is at least 30 cm so that a firm, round head of lettuce is formed.
Tip
Do not plant iceberg lettuce with lettuce
If iceberg lettuce meets bad neighbors in the bed, there is a risk of disease, pests and stunted growth. A mixed culture with lettuce varieties from the Asteraceae family, such as lettuce, endive and batavia lettuce, is unfavorable. Celery (Apium) impairs head formation. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) spoils the taste of salad and attracts roundworms. If you plant iceberg lettuce together with cucumbers (Cucumis), you risk being infected with lettuce rot (Sclerotinia minor).
