where in california is lettuce 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 (Imperial and Riverside Counties).

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Where is romaine lettuce grown in California?

Romaine lettuce and leaf lettuce now account for 27 and 16% of the production, respectively [12]. In the early 1920s, Los Angeles and Imperial Counties were the dominant lettuce producing counties in California, with 57% of the lettuce being produced in Los Angeles County and 42% in Imperial County in 1920 [14].

Where is Lactuca sativa grown in California?

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 (Imperial and Riverside Counties).

Where does lettuce come from?

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.

How long does it take to grow lettuce in Monterey County?

Production is highest in Monterey County. Planting to harvest takes 65 to 80 days for midsummer plantings and as long as 130 days for late-fall and winter plantings. On the Central Coast, where temperatures are mild year-round, lettuce is planted from late December to mid-August for harvest from early April to November.

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Where is the most lettuce grown in California?

Monterey CountyMonterey County is, by far, the largest county of leafy greens production. Located on the Central Coast, Monterey County produced over 100,000 acres of lettuce valued at $1.5 billion in 2015. The next biggest lettuce producer is Imperial County.

Where is lettuce mostly grown?

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 Romaine lettuce grown in California?

From April through October, the primary growing areas are in California's central coast near Salinas or a bit farther down the coast near Santa Maria and Ventura. Some production also comes from the inner Central Valleys of California. Lettuce and leafy greens are in such high demand, they are produced year-round.

Which state grows the most lettuce?

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 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.

What lettuce should you not eat?

romaine lettuceConsumer Reports food safety experts said Friday that people should avoid all romaine lettuce and that any currently in refrigerators should immediately be thrown out because of the risk of E. coli contamination.

Where Does Costco Get romaine lettuce?

In 2019, Costco began to grow romaine lettuce produced by Go Green's California greenhouse.

What lettuce has E. coli right now?

romaine lettucecoli O157:H7 in the U.S. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicates that romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing region is a likely source of this outbreak. According to the CDC, as of November 21, 2019, 40 people infected with the outbreak strain of E.

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.

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.

Does lettuce grow in Mexico?

Mexico mainly produces Romain and Orejona lettuces, which together account for 98% of the national harvest. They also produce Baby leaf and Escarola varieties. The crop is produced in 21 states of the country. At the end of the 2020 agricultural year, Guanajuato was the main producing entity with a 27.3% share.

Does lettuce grow in the wild?

Wild lettuce It is often found growing on roadsides, wood edges or on disturbed soil. This is one of the most common types of wild lettuce to find and is a native plant. It is a winter annual, which means seeds germinate in late summer or early fall and grow to bloom next year. It can grow to over 7 feet tall.

Where is lettuce grown?

But, the overwhelming majority of lettuce and leafy greens consumed in the U.S. is grown in California which produces about 70% of the volume. Another 20% is grown in Arizona. Exactly where in California the lettuce you buy was grown depends on the time of year.

Where do lettuce plants grow?

From April through October, the primary growing areas are in California’s central coast near Salinas or a bit farther down the coast near Santa Maria and Ventura. Some production also comes from the inner Central Valleys of California. Lettuce and leafy greens are in such high demand, they are produced year-round.

Where are lettuce and leafy greens grown?

Beginning in November, harvest of leafy greens will transition to the southern growing areas of California near Imperial County, south of Los Angeles and in Arizona, mostly near Yuma.

When is lettuce harvest season?

The months of April and November are what the leafy greens industry calls the “transition period.” This is the time when harvest is transiting from the southern growing areas to the northern growing areas during April or from the north to the south in November. During these months, your lettuce could be from almost any growing region in California or Arizona.

When did lettuce start labeling?

Beginning in November 2018 , lettuce producers began using a labeling system to help shoppers identify where the romaine lettuce they purchase was grown. This system has been extremely helpful in assuring consumers that their lettuce was not produced in an area linked to an ongoing outbreak.

Does lettuce have to be traced?

Both programs utilize state government auditors to verify their members are following a set of required food safety practices. Both also require lettuce companies to have a traceback system that allows them to track their products back to the field where it was grown.

Is Romaine lettuce a foodborne illness?

Over the past two years, romaine lettuce has been implicated in a few foodborne illness outbreaks. The exact cause or source of these outbreaks still remains unknown. But public health agencies, lettuce producers and the LGMA have been working to prevent outbreaks and, importantly, to communicate more clearly with consumers.

What is the best lettuce to eat?

Best known varieties of leaf lettuce include green leaf and red leaf. Regardless of the type, all lettuces should feature crisp looking, unwilted leaves that are free of dark or slimy spots. In addition, the leaves' edges should be free of brown or yellow discoloration. Lettuces such as Romaine and Boston should have compact heads and stem ends that are not too brown.

How long does lettuce last?

Romaine lettuce will keep for five to seven days, Boston and leaf lettuce for two to three days, while fragile greens such as arugula and watercress ideally should be prepared the day of purchase. All types of lettuce should be stored away from ethylene-producing fruits, such as apples, bananas and pears, since they will cause the lettuce leaves to brown.

How to store lettuce in the refrigerator?

These lettuces should be either stored in a plastic bag or wrapped in a damp cloth and stored in the refrigerator crisper. To store arugula, watercress and other types of salad greens that are sold with their roots attached, wrap the roots in a damp paper towel and place the entire greens in a plastic bag.

What are the different types of lettuce?

Lettuce can be classified into various categories with the most common being: Types of Lettuce. 1. Romaine – This is your classic Greek salad. Sweet and crunchy. 2. Crisphead – Iceberg. White on the inside.

What is iceberg lettuce?

Iceberg is a head lettuce that is very low in nutritional value and flavor. The most abundant nutrient in iceberg lettuce is water. Dark green lettuce leaves always indicate higher fiber, flavor and nutritional value. The spine and ribs of lettuce provide dietary fiber, while vitamins and minerals are concentrated in the delicate leaf portion.

What is the difference between Romaine and Romaine lettuce?

The spine and ribs of lettuce provide dietary fiber, while vitamins and minerals are concentrated in the delicate leaf portion. Romaine: Also known as Cos, this variety of head forming lettuce has deep green, long leaves with a crisp texture and deep taste.

How much was California's melon crop in 2014?

The total value of California's 2014 fresh and. processing vegetable and melon production was $7.8. billion, up from 2013's revised total of $7.3 billion. Lettuce remained the leading vegetable crop in value. of production, at $2.0 billion, followed by tomatoes at. $1.6 billion.

Where is lettuce grown in California?

Roughly 75 percent of the nation’s lettuce and leafy greens are grown in California. There are three main growing regions. The Central Coast, which includes both the Salinas Valley and the Santa Maria/Oxnard region, is the largest with 75 percent of production for the state, the Desert region is the second largest with 19 percent ...

Which county produces the most lettuce?

Monterey County is, by far, the largest county of leafy greens production. Located on the Central Coast, Monterey County produced over 100,000 acres of lettuce valued at $1.5 billion in 2015. The next biggest lettuce producer is Imperial County.

How many different leafy greens are there in California?

There are 14 different leafy greens covered by the California’s Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. While lettuce is the most heavily-produced, some of the others include spinach, kale and cabbage.

When is the best time to plant lettuce?

Because of this, the Central Coast is a huge growing region that produces lettuce between the months of April and November. Winter in the hot Desert Region is perfect for leafy greens from November through March.

Which state produces the most leafy greens?

And the Central Valley covers the transition period in Spring and Fall. California is not the only source of leafy greens in the U.S. Arizona is another substantial producer. It is estimated that combined the two states produce nearly 95 percent of US leafy green crops.

What is the fifth largest commodity in California?

Sacramento, Calif., (November 3, 2017) – According to production statistics compiled by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and released by CDFA, lettuce is the fifth largest commodity in California, with a value of nearly $2 billion. Roughly 75 percent of the nation’s lettuce and leafy greens are grown in California.

When should I start sowing lettuce?

Lettuce likes it cool. I usually start sowing at the very end of summer. This last year, my first sow date was September 15. This way the plants are up and growing during the early fall when temperatures are mild.

How long can lettuce be kept in the fridge?

The plants are turgid at that time, and because of this they can remain full of water and crisp in the fridge for a couple weeks. Yes, a couple weeks. But sometimes you don’t plan properly and just have to have some lettuce with lunch straight from the garden.

Why is my lettuce bitter?

It’s said that the reason lettuce is sometimes bitter is because of hot temperatures and/or lack of water. So be sure to not let your soil dry out, of course, and if there’s a Santa Ana spell in January that gets to 80 degrees then sprinkle lettuce plants in the afternoon to hydrate and cool them.

Do you have to work hard to grow lettuce?

The benefit of this is that you don’t have to work hard to maintain soil moisture. Lettuce seeds must be sown very shallowly. I don’t even bury them, but rather I merely press the seeds into the wet soil surface and then lightly water. Done. Within a week they’re up and growing without any additional watering.

Can you grow lettuce in the summer?

If you really need homegrown lettuce through the summer, then you should choose heat-tolerant varieties, especially if you’re located away from the beach. Summer lettuce is far more challenging to grow compared to growing lettuce in the cooler times of the year but it can be done. See my post about it: “Growing summer lettuce in Southern California.”

Is it expensive to buy lettuce seedlings?

It is expensive to buy lettuce seedlings at the nursery in comparison to peppers, for example. One pepper plant will produce oodles of peppers all summer and fall, but one lettuce plant can be consumed in a single meal. So I sow lettuce seeds rather than buy seedlings.

When Should You Start Your Lettuce Seeds Indoors?

Depending on the type of lettuce, it takes roughly 40-45 days to grow lettuce from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden.

How long should lettuce be outside?

It should also be noted that the best technique for bringing your lettuce plants outside is to introduce them (in their pots) outside for an hour. And then increase the amount of time they spend outside each day by an hour until they have been outside for 8 hours.

What happens if you plant lettuce outside too late?

So if you plant them outside too early in the spring they will die. And if you plant them too late, your lettuce won’t produce a harvest before the first frost arrives in the fall.

What to do if lettuce is in the ground?

If lettuce are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive

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.

What was the biggest booth at the Yuma Agricultural Center?

The biggest booth was run by Dole, but a few smaller farmers also were selling their wares.

How to grow lettuce in a cool climate?

Once days become cooler, the shade can be removed to give plenty of sunlight to young lettuce plants. Lettuce grows best in loose, cool soil with good drainage. The addition of organic materials, such as compost or manure, will increase drainage, provide essential nutrients and improve your lettuce growing conditions.

What is the easiest lettuce to grow?

Leaf lettuce varieties are the easiest lettuces to grow. Although many people assume red leaf lettuce is grown differently, growing red leaf lettuce is exactly the same as growing green lettuce. You can grow leaf lettuce in rows for nice bundles of loose leaf lettuce, or you can sow it thickly in a garden bed or container for harvest as young, tender lettuce. By harvesting leaf lettuce through trimming it a few inches above the soil, you can get two to three harvests from one planting. Popular cultivars include Red Sails, Tango and Slobolt.

How to prevent lettuce from bolting?

To reduce lettuce bolting, first look for bolt-resistant lettuce cultivars. Slobolt, for example, can be grown in warmer temperatures. Other gardening tricks to prevent bolting in warm weather include planting lettuce in shady areas, using mulch to cool the ground and conserve moisture, and providing a light mist of overhead irrigation to cool plants.

How long does it take for Romaine lettuce to grow?

Romaine, also known as cos, forms tall, tight bundles of thick, sweet lettuce leaves. Reaching up to 20 inches tall, most romaine lettuces take 60 to 80 days to harvest. The extended growing season works because romaine is able to grow without bolting in the warm summers.

What is the name of the lettuce that is iceberg lettuce?

Crisphead lettuce, or head for short, is the lettuce we know as Iceberg. One of the most popular types of lettuce, salad lovers all over the country often wonder how to grow Iceberg lettuce. Growing Iceberg lettuce requires a bit more care than other varieties.

How many inches between lettuce plants?

Romaine and butterhead lettuce seedlings require 6 to 8 inches between each plant. Removed seedlings can be transplanted or eaten as delicious, tender microgreens. Head lettuce is usually grown from seeds started indoors during warm weather for a fall garden.

What is butterhead lettuce?

Butterhead lettuce var ieties produce tightly folded heads of tender lettuce leaves. The middle leaves are often self-blanching to a delicate white color. Named after the subtle butter flavor, this mild lettuce adds a sweet touch to salads. Try Ermosa, Esmeralda or Nancy in your lettuce garden.