HOW TO GROW LETTUCE IN A SMALL GREENHOUSE?
Lettuce is a cool-weather salad vegetable that can easily be grown in a greenhouse in the winter. If you live in a frost-free area, a greenhouse is required. It will not only provide heat to your plants, but it will also provide extra protection.
WHEN TO PLANT LETTUCE IN GREENHOUSE?
Lettuce prefers temperatures of 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you want to avoid the heat of summer, plant it before it gets too hot. Lettuce can be transplanted in the spring after the last frost date has passed, but you can also grow it earlier in the greenhouse.
HOW TO PLANT LETTUCE IN GREENHOUSE?
If you want to plant lettuce seeds in the ground, do so as soon as the soil is workable. Lettuce is easy to grow from seeds, and thin lettuce seedlings can be used as fresh greens to add flavor to your favorite dishes.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LETTUCE
There are four types of lettuce grown: romaine, butterhead, head lettuce, and loose-leaf lettuce. Leaf lettuce can be grown in rows and yields two to three harvests from a single planting. Head lettuce can be planted indoors after the last frost in the spring.
WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR LETTUCE
Lettuce is a shallow-rooted vegetable with roots that develop quickly, which is why it requires a lot of water to produce tender leaves. If you grow your lettuce plants in a greenhouse, the greenhouse will heat up quickly and the soil will dry out quickly.
SUNLIGHT
Lettuce is an important component of a healthy salad because it produces food for you. Plants produce food through photosynthesis, which takes place in sunlight, and 6 hours of sunlight is required for healthy lettuce growth.
SOIL AMENDMENTS
Lettuce prefers loose, cool, and well-drained soil, which can be improved by adding compost and manure.
FERTILIZING MIDSEASON
After three weeks, add one tablespoon of balanced fertilizer to your soil, sprinkling it on top of the soil and watering it to a depth of 5 to 6 inches. Read more: 15 Simple and Inexpensive HOMEMADE FERTILIZERS.
TEMPERATURE OF GREENHOUSE
The greenhouse should be kept at a temperature of 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 45 degrees Fahrenheit at night, as lettuce prefers cold temperatures. To achieve this, keep the soil moist and allow air to circulate inside the greenhouse during hot spells.
TIPS AND TRICKS
You can provide heating and cooling to your lettuce plants according to their needs throughout the year by using artificial methods. Avoid exposing them to snow because it will kill them. Plant garlic and chives near the lettuce plants to help control aphids.
COMMON PROBLEMS WHILE GROWING LETTUCE PLANTS
Lettuce is susceptible to a variety of pests, including earwigs, cutworms, and aphids, as well as insects such as snails, slugs, and caterpillars. To keep your favorite salad vegetable from rotting, check it daily.
HARVEST
Most lettuce varieties mature in 30 to 70 days after planting; always harvest lettuce in the morning for the best flavor, and cut the entire bundle at ground level for romaine, butterhead, and head lettuce varieties.
When should I start seeds in my greenhouse?
Because of the controlled environment, you can start seeds in greenhouses at any time; however, if you’re starting plants that will be transplanted into gardens outdoors in the spring, you should start the seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.
How do you plant lettuce seeds in a greenhouse?
Lettuce does not require high temperatures to germinate; in fact, too high temperatures can inhibit germination. Once the seedlings are 5-8cm (2-3in) tall, they can be planted out on the plot. Simply dig a small hole and drop the lettuce in.
Does lettuce grow well in a greenhouse?
Growing lettuce in a greenhouse extends the season and allows you to have fresh lettuce even in the winter. Lettuce grows well in a greenhouse but is susceptible to frost. Leaf lettuce grows well in a greenhouse and can be cut several times during the growing season.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors?
Seed germinates in 2 to 10 days at or near 70u00b0F (21u00b0C)u2014but seed can take up to 2 weeks to germinate if the soil is cold. Start lettuce indoors 4 weeks before transplanting; sow or transplant lettuce into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked.
When can I start seeds in an unheated greenhouse?
They can be started up to two weeks before the last frost date, so once you know the average temperature in your unheated greenhouse, you can use it to figure out which seeds or crops will germinate and grow at that temperature.
Will seeds germinate in a cold greenhouse?
Seeds need a controlled environment with as much light as possible to germinate and grow well, and an unheated greenhouse is likely to be too cold for the early seeds started in February.
What can I grow in an unheated greenhouse over winter?
Winter Lettuce, Potatoes, Spinach, Kale, Cabbage, Bok choy, Chinese cabbage, Onions, Shallots, Peas, Broad beans, Garlic, and Spinach are all plants that can be grown in an unheated greenhouse during the winter if a few guidelines are followed.
Should I soak lettuce seeds before planting?
Before planting, soak the seeds in cool water for 16u201324 hours in a well-lit area to greatly increase germination percentages.
Should you cover lettuce seeds?
Direct sowing lettuce seeds Don’t sow the seeds too deeply because they need light to germinate; instead, cover them with a thin layer of soil and thin to ten to twelve inches once the seedlings have grown well.
Can you grow lettuce in greenhouse in winter?
Little gem, rocket, and lamb’s lettuce are all good choices for winter lettuce; they grow quickly, so harvest when you have a few large leaves to use.
How long does it take to grow lettuce from seed?
Lettuce grows quickly; leaf varieties mature in 30 days and can be harvested as soon as they reach the desired size, whereas other types of lettuce take 6 to 8 weeks to reach full harvest size.
Can I grow lettuce in seed trays?
Place your trays in your greenhouse, polytunnel, cold frame, or windowsill to germinate, and they should be ready to plant out in about 4 weeks. Don’t cover seeds I know you’ll want to, but don’t cover the lettuce seed or you’ll get a very poor germination rate.
Do lettuce seeds need sunlight to germinate?
Lettuce and savory seeds require light to germinate, but they can germinate in light if surrounded by moist soil or lightly covered with soil.
How do you germinate lettuce seeds indoors?
Start lettuce seeds indoors in peat pots a few weeks before your area’s last frost date, and give the seedlings plenty of light or keep them under grow lighting until they’re ready to move into the garden. Transplant the seedlings into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.