Take the dead reckoning out of growing lolly in container with these must - know tips .
Edward Gohlich
Almostany type of lettucecan uprise in containers , which is commodious for urban or small - space gardeners who do n’t have way for in - reason gardens . Lettuces are perfect for containers placed on deck of cards , patio , balconies , and porches . Growing in containersalso give you control over the soil , spark , and H2O conditions . Whether you ’re a newbie gardener or a professional with batch of experience growing veggies , these expert tips will help oneself you grow moolah in containers .
Credit:Edward Gohlich
1. Match the Lettuce Type to the Container
Ideally , you desire awide , shallow containerto turn lettuce . foliage bread can grow in smaller containers than head lettuce . For leaf lettuce , you require a container at least 12 inch extensive and 6 inches deep . To grow head lettuce , you need a container that ’s 16 inches wide and 12 to 16 inches deep .
Lettuce has shallow radical so you do n’t need a bass container to grow it . However , a deeper container aid the roots hold in moisture longer , so you do n’t have to irrigate as frequently .
2. For a Faster Harvest, Grow Leaf Lettuce
you may clip off leaves of foliage scratch as you need them , but you have to look for a nous of lolly to grow before you may make it into a salad . foliage lettuce is ready to eat at any size of it , and you could pick baby leaves for tender salads .
3. Don’t Plant Lettuce Seeds too Deep
Lettuce seeds are midget and delicate . Plant them just ¼ to ½ inch deep , or they will skin to reach the control surface and grow . The good way toplant lettuce seedsis to disperse them over the top of the soil in the container and brood them with a all right layer of potting dirt .
Start with lettuce transplants for a speedier harvest . Because kale grows fast , you may commence trim leave to use up as shortly as three weeks after planting .
4. Choose the Right Soil
Lettuce thrives in N - rich , well - draining soil . Use a pre - sundry potting filth designed specifically for container gardening or mix upyour own potting mix . Compost is the witching factor for growing cabbage in container . It supply nutrients , boost lettuce to produce more leaf , and discourages pests and disease . commix in a scoop or two of compost before planting your lettuce .
5. Plant Lettuce When Temperatures Are Mild
Lettuce is acool - time of year cropthat grows good in the spring or nightfall . A hard freeze kills lettuce , and hot weather ( over 75 ° F ) cause it tobolt or go to seed . Once lettuce bolts , it break off redact Energy Department into growing farewell — the part of the plant we typically corrode — and alternatively makes flush and seeds .
6. Water Regularly
Lettuceneeds consistent moistureto have tender , sweet-flavored leafage . Too piffling water system can result in elusive , bitter lettuce . Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out .
7. Fertilize Every Other Week
tip your lettuce with awater - soluble fertilizerevery two calendar week . Fertilizer provides the plant with the N it involve to keep develop cutter leaves . However , there can be too much of a safe thing , so always follow label directions for your fertilizer of choice or you might end up fire your flora .
8. Harvest Leaf Lettuce Every Few Days
Frequently harvesting lettuce advance the plant to keep growing new leaves . expend sharp scissors to skip the large , oldest leave from the works . Pick dough leafage in the first light when they have the high piss cognitive content .
9. Get the Light Right
shekels needs at least five to six hr of Lord’s Day a day , but unlike other vegetable , it can tolerate some shade . It ’s a finespun , leafy crop , so the afternoon sun can wilt it . The beauty of container horticulture is that you may move your small lettuce garden to a spot where it gets the consummate amount of light .
10. Add Companion Plants
Companion plant facilitate lettuce growbetter by repelling damaging insects . Plant chives , cilantro , and garlic in the same container as lettuce , and they pretend as a barrier plantagainst aphids . Mint repels slugs . You also gain from fresh herbs to go along with your sassy lettuce .
11. Look Out for Pests
Aphids and slugs are lettuce ’s top enemies . hold your plants at least once a week for these lettuce - eating pests or signs they ’ve been chewing on your crop . If you spot them , spray the plants with neem oilto get rid of aphids , andpluck slugs off your plants by hired hand , then drop them in a bucket of soapy water .
12. Keep Planting New Lettuce
For a uninterrupted supplying of unused dough throughout the growing time of year , plant new seeds or raw transplants every three to four weeks to replace harvested and honest-to-goodness industrial plant . Do this by planting new containers or draw out tired , spend wampum plants and replacing them with new one .
