Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Although lettuce is produced in many states, California and Arizona dominate U.S. production. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent.
What is the best temperature to grow lettuce?
Lettuce prefers moist, cool conditions, and you don’t even have to worry about chilly weather because the seedlings can tolerate a light frost. In fact, these plants grow best when temperatures are between 45 and 65 F. (7-18 C.). Lettuce tastes more flavorful and the leaves remain tender when it grows quickly.
Which lettuce is easiest to grow?
What is the best lettuce to grow?
- Ithaca Iceberg Lettuce. Photo credit: Pixabay. …
- Nevada Summer Crisp Lettuce. …
- Tom Thumb Butterhead Lettuce. …
- Parris Island Romaine Lettuce. …
- Coastline Summer Crisp Lettuce. …
- Ice Green Loose-Leaf Lettuce. …
- Flashy Butter Oak Lettuce. …
- Summer Bibb Butterhead Lettuce.
When to start planting lettuce?
When to Plant Lettuce
- Soil temperatures between 45°F and 65°F (7°C and 18°C) are ideal. ...
- Direct sowing is recommended. ...
- Or, to get a head start, start seeds indoors about 1 month before your last spring frost date. ...
What is the best lettuce to grow indoors?
What is the best lettuce to grow indoors?
- Merlot.
- Baby Oakleaf.
- Lollo Rosa.
- Tom Thumb.
- Garden Babies.
- Red Deer Tongue.
- Black-Seeded Simpson.
- Salad Bowl.
See more
Where is lettuce grown in the world?
Lettuce is grown on all continents, but the greatest consumers and producers are the USA (91 000 hectares, of which 60 000 ha are in California) and Europe (total EEC area 80 000 ha).
Where is lettuce best grown?
full sunThe ideal lettuce growing location for spring and fall is in a spot that receives full sun. If you plan on growing lettuce during the summer or in warm planting zones, partial shade can provide protection from the heat.
Where is the most lettuce grown in the world?
ChinaChina was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China was the largest producer of lettuce in the world in 2019 followed by the United States and India. China produced more than 16 million metric tons of lettuce in 2019.
Where is lettuce commercially grown?
The major production areas for leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in California are the Central Coast (Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo Counties), the southern coast (Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties), the Central Valley (Fresno, Kings, and Kern Counties), and the southern deserts ( ...
What climate does lettuce grow in?
60 to 65°F.Lettuce is adapted to cool growing conditions with the optimum temperatures for growth of 60 to 65°F. At 70 to 80°F, the plants flower and produce seed. Lettuce can tolerate a few days of temperatures from 80 to 85°F, provided that nights are cool.
Where does lettuce come from?
Lettuce originated in the Mediterranean area and was first grown as a weed. The first documentation of cultivation begins in Ancient Egypt over 6,000 years ago, but it may have been cultivated in the Middle East prior to this. Ancient Egyptian artwork, especially tomb paintings, depicts different varieties of lettuce.
What is the lettuce capital of the world?
YumaSponsored by Yuma Main Street, Inc., it is held in the historic downtown section of Yuma, which is known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World." Yuma County is renowned for its winter-grown produce; over 90% of the world's lettuce crop is grown in the region's fertile soils from November through March.
Which country eats the most lettuce?
Lettuce is the only member of the genus Lactuca to be grown commercially. Although China is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is consumed domestically. Spain is the world's largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second.
What city produces the most lettuce?
The Yuma area, including the Imperial Valley across the California border, produces about 90 percent of all the leafy vegetables grown in the United States from November to March, when it's too cold to grow produce in most of the rest of the country.
Where does most US lettuce come from?
More than 90 percent of U.S. lettuce production is located in California and Arizona. The main varieties include iceberg, romaine and various leaf varieties. Lettuce production occurs year-round throughout the United States, through a sequence of production in Arizona and California.
Where is iceberg lettuce grown?
In the U.S. today, iceberg lettuce is grown as a cool-season crop that does particularly well in the desert climates of the Southwest during the winter months and along the central coastal regions of California during the rest of the year.
Where is lettuce imported from?
At the same year, Lettuce was the 516th most imported product in United States. United States imports Lettuce primarily from: Mexico ($343M), Canada ($49.2M), Belgium ($2.02M), Guatemala ($1.34M), and Netherlands ($1.25M). Tariffs In 2019, the average tariff for United States in Lettuce was 0.77%.
Where does the US grow lettuce?
More than 90 percent of U.S. lettuce production is located in California and Arizona. The main varieties include iceberg, romaine and various leaf varieties. Lettuce production occurs year-round throughout the United States, through a sequence of production in Arizona and California.
Which is the best tasting lettuce?
Romaine. If you've ever had a Caesar salad, you've had romaine, also known as cos lettuce. With a long, upright head of crisp, pale green leaves sporting crunchy midribs, romaine—particularly the lighter leaves toward the center (the heart)—is more flavorful than some other varieties.
What's the healthiest lettuce to eat?
So, to answer your question, the most nutritious lettuce is Romaine. Compared to red leaf, green leaf, butterhead (Boston and bib types) and iceberg, it delivers more folate, potassium, beta carotene and lutein.
Which type of lettuce is the most popular in America?
1. Crisphead lettuce. Crisphead, also known as iceberg or head lettuce, is one of the most widely used lettuces.
How to keep lettuce growing?
Lettuce prefers soil that is high in organic material, with plenty of compost and a steady supply of nitrogen to keep if growing fast. Use organic alfalfa meal or a slow-release fertilizer. Make sure the soil remains moist but not overly wet. It should drain well. Lettuce will tell you when it needs water.
How to plant lettuce in August?
Tip: To plant a fall crop, create cool soil in August by moistening the ground and covering it with a bale of straw. A week later, the soil under the bale will be about 10°F (6°C) cooler than the rest of the garden. Sow a three-foot row of lettuce seeds every couple of weeks—just rotate the straw bale around the garden.
What is the best salad base?
Lettuce makes the perfect base for any number of salads. Try these eight great salad recipes with your harvest!
Why is it important to plant lettuce in a well-tilled seedbed?
Since the seed is so small, a well-tilled seedbed is essential. Stones and large clods of dirt will inhibit germination. Lettuce does not compete well with weeds. Spacing lettuce close together will help to control weeds. Rotating locations from year to year helps to reduce the occurrence of most diseases.
How long does it take for lettuce to sprout?
Lettuce can be sown after soils reach 40°F (4°C), though seeds germinate best at 55 to 65°F (13 to 18°C). Seedlings will typically emerge in 7 to 10 days. Nursery-bought transplants should be planted near the last frost-free date for the growing area.
How to keep aphids out of lettuce?
Consider planting rows of chives or garlic between your lettuce to control aphids. They act as “barrier plants” for the lettuce.
How to keep lettuce from drying out in the sun?
Using row covers can also help to keep lettuce from drying out in the sun. An organic mulch will help conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures cool throughout the warmer months. Weed by hand if necessary, but be careful of damaging your lettuce plants’ roots; they are shallow. Bolting.
Which states produce the most lettuce?
California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent. These states also produce over 98 percent of the leaf lettuce in the U.S.
What are the different types of lettuce?
Lettuce is categorized as two types: head (iceberg) and leaf, which includes romaine, butterhead, and leaf types. Lettuce has been grown in the United States since colonial times. In the early 1900s, the ice shipping industry developed in the western states, expanding the range and popularity of lettuce. In terms of annual eatings per capita, lettuce salads rank second only to potatoes. In 2015, annual consumption of all types of lettuce was 25.8 pounds per person, of which 51 percent (13.3 pounds per person) was head lettuce. Lettuce consumption was nearly the same in the previous three years, but down about 20 percent from ten years ago. (USDA ERS Yearbook Data, 2016) The percent of total consumption of head lettuce and leaf/romaine lettuce derived from imports was 6.9 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.
How much lettuce is consumed in 2015?
In 2015, annual consumption of all types of lettuce was 25.8 pounds per person, of which 51 percent (13.3 pounds per person) was head lettuce. Lettuce consumption was nearly the same in the previous three years, but down about 20 percent from ten years ago.
What is the best temperature for lettuce?
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that grows best with moderate daytime temperatures (73oF) and cool nights (45 oF). Lettuce varieties are selected for specific planting periods and disease resistance. Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S.
Is lettuce a fresh product?
All lettuce is marketed as a fresh product. Today, almost all head lettuce is field-packed for bulk sale or for transport to a salad processing plant. Estimates suggest that about one-fourth of all iceberg lettuce is now destined for processing into prepackage salads.
What zone does lettuce grow in?
We’ve established lettuce prefers to be grown in a cooler climate. It can grow in USDA zones 4-9.
When is lettuce best to grow?
Lettuce, no matter the variety, is considered a cool-weather crop. It grows best in the spring or fall because lettuce prefers temperatures between 60-70°F.
How long does it take for lettuce to grow?
It grows well in containers, in the ground, in window boxes, or even flower baskets. Plus, this variety of lettuce takes less than two months to be ready to harvest. If you want a salad in a hurry, reach for the leaf lettuce. Leaf lettuce comes in red, green, and oak varieties.
What is the best lettuce to use in salads?
Arugula. Arugula is one of my favorite types of lettuce. Though it looks like basic leaf lettuce, it’s anything but basic. In fact, it has a dark green color and is packed with nutrients, and it boasts a unique pepper flavor sure to spice up any salad it’s included in.
How to keep lettuce from weeding?
Mulch around your lettuce to help keep the weeds down , keep the soil moist, and keep the temperature of the soil nice and cool.
What kind of soil do lettuce plants need?
Lettuce needs soil that is loose, cool, and well-draining. You can amend your soil with compost to add the nutrients your plants need while also helping the soil drain better.
Why don't you want to let lettuce grow?
You don’t want to let your lettuce reach full maturity before harvesting because the leaves get bitter. When the lettuce reaches your desired size, pluck the outer leaves to let the rest of the plant continue to grow or cut the entire plant off at the base.
How to grow lettuce in a small garden?
Due to its small seed size, it’s better to sprinkle lettuce seed on top of fine soil, then cover lightly with a thin layer of dirt. A small hand held seeder or seed tape can also be used for proper spacing of plants. Avoid planting too deeply, as lettuce requires sunlight to germinate.
When is the best time to grow lettuce?
As a cool-season crop, lettuce grows well with the cool, moist weather available in spring and fall. In cooler climates, the lettuce growing season can also be extended year-round using an indoor hydroponic system.
How to keep lettuce crisp?
For crisper lettuce, harvest in the morning. Wash leaves in cold water and dry with a paper towel. Place lettuce in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.
How to grow Romaine lettuce?
Picking the young, tender outer leaves will encourage the inner leaves to continue growing. Harvest romaine and leaf lettuce as baby greens by cutting straight across the plant 1 or 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) above the soil level. Be sure to leave the basal growing point for further leaf development.
What temperature should lettuce be?
In fact, these plants grow best when temperatures are between 45 and 65 F. (7-18 C.). Lettuce tastes more flavorful and the leaves remain tender when it grows quickly.
Can Romaine lettuce be cut?
Plants can be pulled or heads can be cut. Romaine (cos) types of lettuce can be harvested by removing tender outer leaves or waiting until a head is formed. When removing the head, cut the plant above the base to encourage regrowth or remove the entire plant if regrowth is not desired. Printer Friendly Version.
Can lettuce be grown outdoors?
In warmer areas, such as southern Florida, lettuce can also be grown outdoors throughout the winter. Increasing daylight hours and hot temperatures stimulates lettuce to bolt, which makes growing lettuce more challenging during the summer months. As a cool-season crop, lettuce can be direct-seeded into the garden as soon as ...
Where is lettuce grown in New York?
If you've ever visited a lettuce farm in, say, the Hudson Valley of New York, it can be a little unsettling to see a huge field of lettuce in Yuma with palm trees and mountains in the background. Advertisement. These fields stretch for miles to the east of Yuma, up the often-dry Gila River.
Where does lettuce come from in Arizona?
Unless you're a homesteader, a Sunbelt resident who eats only food from your local farmers market, or an extremely devout carnivore, you've almost certainly eaten lettuce from Yuma, Arizona, a city of 93,000 at the nexus of Arizona, California and Mexico. The Yuma area, including the Imperial Valley across the California border, ...
What is the taste of Oak Leaf lettuce?
Oak leaf lettuce comes in both red and green varieties. It grows as individual lobed leaves with soft and ruffly leaves. The taste is sweet and mild, comparable to Boston lettuce. Photo from asha susan, Flickr.
What is watercress lettuce?
Watercress is an aquatically grown lettuce that has long hollow stems with round lobed leaves. It has a peppery taste. Enjoy it on its own, in mixed salads, or wilted into Asian soups and stir-frys.
What is radicchio lettuce?
Radicchio is Italian in origin. The lettuce is characterized by dark red leaves with bright white stems on a tightly packed head. The taste is bitter. Radicchio comes in two main varieties, the small cabbage-like Chioggia and oblong Treviso. Radicchio is great in mixed salads and also works well grilled.
What is Boston lettuce?
Boston (a.k.a. Bibb) lettuce is delicate lettuce with pale green, soft cup-shaped leaves. The flavor is mild and sweet. Sometimes in the supermarket you will find hydroponically grown Boston lettuce, which has the benefit of having no dirt or sand in the leaves. Photo from photofarmer, Flickr.
Who dispels the mysteries of lettuce and its varieties?
Tyler Florence dispels the mysteries of lettuce and its varieties.
How long does it take to return lettuce to Farmstand?
We allow Farmstand returns within 90 days of the delivery date. To initiate a return, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-512-234-4001.
How many varieties of pre-sprouted seedlings are there?
We offer 200+ varieties of pre-sprouted seedlings (50+ per season). Grow everything from leafy greens like kale and lettuce varieties to your favorite herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, and so much more!
How old are seedlings when they arrive at my door?
We start your seedlings (200+ varieties!) in our greenhouses to give you a head start growing and harvesting food for your table. Your seedlings are 3-4 weeks old when they arrive at your door and we've done the hard part: sowing and nurturing them so they're strong and healthy.
Can you find cauliflower leaves in the grocery store?
You can never find a full cauliflower with the leaves on it at the grocery store (& so often it is packaged in plastic) so this was a real treat.
Can a 6-year-old grow lettuce?
In case anyone else with picky eaters needs to hear this: A 6-year-old can literally (and easily) grow an edible garden with Lettuce Grow.
How to plant lettuce seeds in the ground?
This should lower the temperature of the soil. Now, plant your lettuce seeds in the prepared area, and water them well. Replace the board over the seeded ground. Lift the board, and water every day until you see signs of germination, at which time you can remove the board.
How long does it take for lettuce to germinate?
But lettuce will ideally germinate when temperatures are between 55 and 65 degrees. Seedlings usually emerge between seven and 10 days after planting.
Why is leaf lettuce bitter?
In weather hotter than this, the leaves begin to get bitter to the taste. When leaf lettuce bolts—begins to send up its flower shoots —it's a signal that the production of edible lettuce is done for the season. Leaves harvested after this point will be quite bitter to eat.
What to do if lettuce plant bolts?
If all else fails and it looks like your lettuce plants are ready to bolt, dig them out of the ground and replant them. As with "cut and come again" harvesting, this is a shock to the plant's system, and it will once again focus on growing roots and delay setting seed. Don't keep them out of the ground or allow the plants to dry out—just the act of lifting them and immediately replanting is enough of a shock.
What is it called when you cut lettuce leaves?
This is called "cut and come again" harvesting, and some lettuce varieties are marketed as being especially suitable for this kind of harvesting.
What type of leaves are in Grand Rapids?
Summer crisp. Oakleaf types with flatter, lobed leaves. Grand Rapids types with broad, crinkled, frilly, loose leaves. Head-lettuces, on the other hand, take a while to develop mature heads, and they sometimes bolt even before decent edible heads can form.
Does lettuce need more sun in the spring?
Lettuce needs more sun in the cool spring than it does in summer, and positioning lettuce plants around taller plants, such as tomatoes, will provide full sun in spring while the tomatoes are still short but will offer relief from the intense summer sun.
