Lettuce Growing Guide for Central Texas
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Lettuce is a cool-season crop that grows quickly and is perfect for salads and wraps. It thrives in Central Texas during the cooler months.
Choosing the Right Lettuce Varieties
- Leaf Lettuce: Black-Seeded Simpson, Red Sails
- Romaine: Parris Island, Jericho
- Butterhead: Buttercrunch, Bibb
- Crisphead: Iceberg
When to Plant Lettuce
- Direct Sow: Late September to early April. Lettuce prefers temperatures between 45-75°F.
How to Plant Lettuce
- Soil Preparation: Use loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost. A pH of 6.0-7.0 is ideal.
- Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
- Spacing: Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart for leaf varieties and 8-12 inches for head varieties.
Caring for Your Lettuce Plants
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilizing: Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage leafy growth.
- Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Pests and Diseases
- Common Pests: Aphids, slugs, and cutworms. Use neem oil or diatomaceous earth to manage pests.
- Diseases: Downy mildew and leaf spot. Ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering.
Harvesting Lettuce
- Harvest leaf lettuce by cutting outer leaves when they’re young and tender.
- For head lettuce, harvest the entire head when it’s firm and fully formed.