Lettuce is also eaten as part of the Jewish Passover Seder, where it is considered the optimal choice for use as the bitter herb, which is eaten together with the matzah. [47][48][49], In the United States in 2013, California (71%) and Arizona (29%) produced nearly all of the country's fresh head and leaf lettuce, with head lettuce yielding $9400 of value per acre and leaf lettuce $8000 per acre.[48]. How to grow lettuce. It could also be an indication of improper soil pH. [11] The consumption of lettuce in China developed differently from in Western countries, due to health risks and cultural aversion to eating raw leaves. The vegetable has also been linked to outbreaks of parasitic infestations, including Giardia lamblia.[51]. There are dozens of lettuce types, and they fall into five categories: Batavian, butterhead, iceberg, loose leaf, and romaine. In 2017, world production of lettuce (report combined with chicory) was 27 million tonnes, with China alone producing 15.2 million tonnes or 56% of the world total (see table). As the summer heat turns up, plant in an area of the garden or patio that receives more shade. It has few leaves, bolts quickly and produces seeds around 50 percent larger than other types of lettuce. The fully automated growing system is optimized for growing baby leaf lettuce, herbs and small head lettuces, that are to be sold cut. One rule of thumb for row planting leaf lettuce is 10 plants per foot. However, despite high levels of bacteria being found on ready-to-eat lettuce products, a 2008 study found no incidences of food-borne illness related to listeriosis, possibly due to the product's short shelf life, indigenous microflora competing with the Listeria bacteria or inhibition of bacteria to cause listeriosis. To prevent summer bolt, stop planting one month before warm summer temperatures start. A classic green salad lettuce, ‘Grand Rapids’ is a nice choice if you’re looking for something a little more traditional. So, it’s best to prepare the bed as soon as possible. Create a gorgeous, delicious, nutritious salad with Red Sails red leaf lettuce. Transplanted lettuce (started in flats and later moved to growing beds) is generally more competitive initially, but can still be crowded later in the season, causing misshapen lettuce and lower yields. [6] Synonyms for L. sativa include Lactuca scariola var. If you are planting in pots or containers, this process is a breeze. Shallow roots leave plants susceptible to water-related stress, so water frequently and to a depth of at least 6 inches. Don't forget to hit like or subscribe! Not only is it a lovely addition to the garden and dinner plate, but it’s also fast growing, slow to bolt, and heat tolerant—a gardener’s dream! This video is part two of a series for how to grow romaine lettuce from scraps. Be careful not to use a heavy hand when watering, since too much water can encourage disease. Specifics on Planting Leaf Lettuce: Plant in single rows; Cover with 1/8 inch dirt and tap firm; Seeds should be planted 2″ apart in rows; Rows should be 18″ apart; 12 seeds per 1 foot; Hand Weed or Mulch to suppress weeds; Leaf Lettuces are fast growing so keep soil moist. [44] Although China is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is consumed domestically. This plant was probably selectively bred by the Egyptians into a plant grown for its edible leaves,[22] with evidence of its cultivation appearing as early as 2680 BC. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Keep an eye out for aphids, which will hide on the undersides of leaves. Here are a few of our favorite leaf types to choose from: ‘Lollo Rosso’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘lollo rossa’) is an Italian variety with ruffled, dark pink leaves that are green at the base. Row covers and cold frames can allow you to start plants earlier in spring, and possibly even grow them throughout the winter in some areas. By the end of the century, other types began to regain popularity and eventually made up over 30 percent of production. [46], In the early 21st century, bagged salad products increased in the lettuce market, especially in the US where innovative packaging and shipping methods prolonged freshness. Cutworms are sneaky and do their damage at night. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae. Fences or row covers are your best line of defense against these more obvious offenders. During the 81–96 AD reign of Domitian, the tradition of serving a lettuce salad before a meal began. If you struggle to grow crops, you should get along well with growing lettuce. [18] Weeds can also be an issue, as cultivated lettuce is generally not competitive with them, especially when directly seeded into the ground. The plants can be spaced much closer together in the garden (4-6 inches (10-15 cm.)) This will ensure a continual supply of young plants for an optimal harvest. ♦Please Note: add this information to your Gardening Journal. Weeds also act as homes for insects and disease and can make harvesting more difficult. Plants are also fast growing and small, with shallow roots. This frilly-edged leaf type is resistant to tip burn, crisp, and tender. Lettuce is generally a rich source of vitamins K and A, though the nutritional quality varies, depending on the variety. [40] Mammals, including rabbits and groundhogs, also eat the plants. Europe and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce, but by the late 20th century the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world. Spain is the world's largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second. In addition to its main use as a leafy green, it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption. Transplant iceberg, romaine, and butterhead lettuce 10–12" apart in rows 15–18" apart, other types 8–10" apart in rows 12–18", and mini heads as close as 6" in a grid. However, there are several long-lasting varieties that can be productive throughout the entire growing season in many areas. Similar to Bibb and Boston lettuce, butter lettuce is easy to maintain, and today we'll show you how to grow butter lettuce in the garden! The early 20th century saw the development of new packing, storage and shipping technologies that improved the lifespan and transportability of lettuce and resulted in a significant increase in availability. For delicious salads, I prefer to plant a variety of different seeds. COPYRIGHT © 2020 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. They act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce. Seeds can be purchased from True Leaf Market. [56] Folk medicine has also claimed it as a treatment for pain, rheumatism, tension and nervousness, coughs and insanity; scientific evidence of these benefits in humans has not been found. Photos by Allison Sidhu, © Ask the Experts, LLC. Stagger the planting at 1 to 2 week intervals to get harvests throughout the season. Prepare the soil a couple of weeks before planting garden crops. Generally grown as a hardy annual, lettuce is easily cultivated, although it requires relatively low temperatures to prevent it from flowering quickly. [54] Viruses, including hepatitis A, calicivirus and a Norwalk-like strain, have been found in lettuce. Another favorite for beginners, ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ is simple to grow, and it can tolerate some sunshine. Leaf lettuce comes in red, green, and oak varieties. [53] Salmonella bacteria, including the uncommon Salmonella braenderup type, have also caused outbreaks traced to contaminated lettuce. Direct sow another batch of seeds in the garden in a sunny location as soon as the soil is workable. [16][19] The ovaries form compressed, obovate (teardrop-shaped) dry fruits that do not open at maturity, measuring 3 to 4 mm long. Get seeds now from True Leaf Market. Amber Shidler lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and holds a dual bachelor’s degree in botany and geography. After planting the seeds, water the soil thoroughly and keep the lettuce watered as it grows. [51] Lettuce has been linked to numerous outbreaks of the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella; the plants were most likely contaminated through contact with animal feces. Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids. Cracked Fruit on the Vine: Are Split Tomatoes Safe to Eat? integrifolia. Leaf lettuce can be cut as soon as it is large enough to use, usually in 50 to 60 days from planting. To plant lettuce from seed, plant seeds every ½” or so and lightly cover with soil. [18] This propensity for crossing, however, has led to breeding programs using closely related species in Lactuca, such as L. serriola, L. saligna, and L. virosa, to broaden the available gene pool. Once weeds begin to appear, lightly cultivate the soil so as to uproot the weeds, but not so heavily that new weed seeds are brought to the soil’s surface and given a chance to germinate. Lettuce grows best in full sun in loose, nitrogen-rich soils with a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8. Some varieties, especially those found in the United States and Western Europe, have long, narrow taproots and a small set of secondary roots. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Be sure to get a few things right and you’ll be enjoying fresh garden salads in no time. The 16th through 18th centuries saw the development of many varieties in Europe, and by the mid-18th century cultivars were described that can still be found in gardens. Romaine and Butterhead lettuce can be harvested in about 60 to 70 days from planting. than head lettuce, meaning no thinning needed and garden space is maximized. [15] There are also a few varieties with yellow, gold or blue-teal leaves. Butter lettuce will form semi-firm heads if given the space to do so. Okay, we’ll give you one guess as to why this cultivar is known as ‘Oakleaf.’ This type reaches maturity in just 40 days, and Utah State University stands behind this pick, so it must be good. Longer taproots and more extensive secondary systems are found in varieties from Asia. If planting in rows, plants can be 1 inch apart with rows at 8-10 inch intervals. [13] Lettuce was first brought to the Americas from Europe by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century. As such, they are more susceptible to water-related stress, and are less vigorous in the presence of weeds. 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