As of: February 22, 2024, 10:13 a.m
By: Ines Alms
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Timing, temperature or light – when growing lettuce there are a lot of things you can do wrong, which will reduce or fail the harvest.
What really matters.
Sowing and growing lettuce is a practical and cost-effective method of supplying yourself with fresh greens from your own bed for many months.
If you spread the seeds skillfully and at different times in the spring, depending on the variety, you can harvest at regular intervals from April onwards.
Anyone who takes the trouble to sow the plants themselves and not buy them as young plants should pay attention to the details so that the seeds germinate well and the lettuce has the best chance of growing.
Six common mistakes when sowing and growing lettuce
When the lettuce germinates, many hurdles have already been overcome.
Then you have to prick.
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Seeds that are too old: If the seeds do not sprout, it may be because they are no longer capable of germinating.
As a rule, lettuce seeds have a shelf life of two to four years.
If in doubt, do a germ sample.
Wrong soil: You're on the right track when it comes to growing soil.
Normal potting soil contains too many nutrients, which causes the plants to shoot up too quickly.
Loamy garden soil is well suited for young plants, but root formation is inhibited in tender seedlings.
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Sown too early: Preferring lettuce often makes sense to make the plants stronger.
But since most varieties are only allowed into the bed from April onwards when temperatures are milder, you should properly allow for a growth phase of around four weeks.
Wrong temperature: Lettuce germinates best at a temperature of ten to 15 degrees Celsius.
You won't get quick results either in the room or outside.
Too dark: Lettuce germinates in light, so you should only cover the seeds with very little soil, then press them down lightly and moisten them.
Forget pricking: If the lettuce seedlings are not separated after two to three weeks, they will grow too close together and compete for nutrients and space.
It is best to prick out as soon as a second pair of leaves forms.
You should maintain a distance of around 25 x 25 centimeters in the bed and not sow too densely.
Even if the lettuce has already grown into young plants in the cultivation pots, a common mistake still occurs: it is planted too deep in the bed.
The ball of soil may only be placed two thirds into the bed or balcony box, as muddy soil or water on the lettuce heart quickly causes the lettuce to rot.