How to grow Lettuce in 3 simple steps

There’s no rule that gardening must be difficult or time consuming. Lettuce is a perfect example of a simple, rewarding gardening project, and all you need to get started is a container, seeds, and potting mix. 

Here are a few tips for growing healthy, delicious lettuce.

 

1. Choosing a Container

Nearly any container is suitable for growing lettuce, although wide, shallow containers are ideal. Be sure the container has at least one good drainage hole in the bottom. 

Container ideas for growing lettuce include window boxes, clay, ceramic or plastic pots or hanging baskets. Even an old mixing bowl with a hole drilled in the bottom makes a perfect pot for lettuce. 

 

2. Soil for Growing Lettuce

Fill your container nearly to the top with a vegetable and herb potting mix. Such mixes, which contain no soil, consist of material such as sphagnum peat moss, compost, sand, and mycorrhizae, a beneficial fungal material that promotes strong, healthy plants. 

Never use garden soil for container growing, as it soon becomes heavy and hard-packed. As a result, seedlings fail because the soil is unable to provide access to adequate air, moisture, and nutrients.

 

3. Planting Lettuce Seeds

Fill the container nearly to the top with fresh vegetable and herb potting mix. Sprinkle a pinch of lettuce seeds on the surface, then cover them with no more than .6 cm of potting mix. Mist lightly with a spray bottle.  

Place the container where it receives plenty of sunlight. It the weather is hot, however, a spot in morning sunlight or cool shade is better. Check the container daily and water as needed to keep the potting mix lightly moist but never soggy.