Size: 8 to 10 inches
Sunlight requirements: Full sun (will tolerate partial shade in summer)
Water requirements: About 1 inch per week (Overwatering may result in disease and slug issues.)
Soil requirements: Well-drained soil, high in organic matter. Excessive nitrogen encourages overly-tender growth and potential aphid issues.
When to plant: Seed indoors 4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-seed in early spring when soil temperatures are at least 40 degrees F. Lettuce is a cool-season crop, so early planting is key. Sow more seeds every two or three weeks throughout spring for longer harvests.
Where to plant: Garden; containers
When to harvest: When leaves are 1 to 2 inches in length (baby romaine); 50 to 65 days after seeding (full-sized heads)
Produce storage: Ready-to-harvest lettuce can remain in the garden for several weeks during cooler weather. Once picked, store unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
