A lettuce salad goes well even for those who don't like vegetables very much, right? If you want to have a healthier diet, including this plant in your daily diet is a good way to start. And this is even easier if you grow it in a vegetable garden at home.
In case you still don't see enough reasons to plant lettuce at home, learn about some of the benefits of this vegetable: detoxification of the body, acceleration of metabolism, proper functioning of the intestine, maintenance of eye health, blood sugar regulation, strengthening of bones, prevention anemia and fight insomnia.
With so many advantages that lettuce brings to your body, its mild flavor needs to integrate your menu. To ensure that you always have this fresh leaf on your plate, find out the correct way to plant it from the topics we have prepared.
What do I need to know to plant lettuce?
To plant lettuce, it is essential that you understand how this plant develops and what are the ideal conditions for growing it. Find out more about it below:
Important information about planting lettuce
- Brightness: lettuce grows well in warm environments and in environments with milder temperatures. That's why it's important that the plant receives direct sunlight for at least one period of the day.
- Location: although lettuce needs a warm environment to develop, this location also needs to be airy. So choose a place with plenty of wind.
- Let go: For lettuce to develop well, the soil must be moist at all times, without being soggy. So you can water every other day.
- Cleaning: If you spot yellow leaves or pests in your lettuce plant, remove them immediately. Check daily for any changes to ensure the crop is not destroyed.
- Harvest: 8 to 18 weeks after sowing, lettuce can be harvested. It is recommended that you harvest in the morning when the leaves are freshest.
What do you need to have to plant lettuce?
Before planting lettuce, make sure you have all the materials needed for planting. Depending on the method you intend to use, you may need to:
- lettuce seeds
- Terra
- Water
- Fertilizer
- Plastic vase with holes in the bottom
- PET bottle
- curved shovel
- hydroponic fertilizer
- Calcium nitrate
- Epsom salt
- Dishes
- Glass
- large plastic pot
- expanded clay
- Sand
When is the best time to plant lettuce?
Each lettuce variety has a specific time of year to be planted. However, the most common variation, which is plain lettuce, should preferably be planted in November.
Where to plant lettuce?
A vegetable garden at home can be made in countless ways and lettuce is one of the plants that best adapts to different environments. Pay attention to the ways to grow it:
How to plant lettuce in a pot
In a 10 cm high pot with holes in the bottom, add a layer of soil. Then, spread the lettuce seeds on the ground, without bringing them together. Then add another layer of soil on top of the seeds and water every day until they start to germinate. If desired, add a fertilizer to increase production.
How to plant lettuce in PET bottle
First, you must cut a rectangle on one side of the bottle, without removing the cap. Then drill holes on the opposite side of the rectangle, which will be the base of the vase. Place a layer of expanded clay inside the bottle and prepare the soil with two parts soil and one part sand. Finally, add three lettuce seeds to the soil, spaced apart, and cover them with soil. Water daily until the plant germinates.
How to plant lettuce in a flower bed
In a bed, use a curved shovel to dig holes 10 cm deep and 8 cm wide. Add three lettuce seeds to each one and close the holes with another layer of soil. Carefully not to soak the soil; water the flower bed every other day. Once the plant germinates, keep an eye out for pests.
How to plant lettuce in water
First of all, put the lettuce seeds in a dish of water for two weeks. If the water dries up in this period, add more liquid. Then take a large plastic pot and poke holes in the lid. When the seeds become seedlings, place them side by side on the lid of the pot and fill the container with water.
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Next, mix 2 tablespoons of hydroponic fertilizer, 2 tablespoons of calcium nitrate and 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt. After stirring this mixture, pour it into the plastic pot with a glass of water. Finally, cover the container and take it to a well-lit place. After 45 days, your hydroponic lettuce can be harvested.
Step by step to plant lettuce
Now that you know the peculiarities of each lettuce planting, the easiest part has come: putting everything into practice. Learn how to do this:
- Choose your preferred lettuce planting method
- Follow the instructions presented in the chosen method
- Keep lettuce in a bright, airy place
- Keep the soil moist without soaking it.
- Wait about 45 days before harvesting the first foot.
- Watch for possible manifestations of pests
Did you see? It's simple to add a little green to your diet in a simple and healthy way, spending very little. If you want lettuce to be part of your menu, follow the tips we present for planting this special ingredient. Enjoy your fresh leaves!
