How to grow lettuce at homeImage Credit source: getty image
Lettuce which is known as Salat Patta in India. It gives a great crunch to things like your sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Lettuce is also very beneficial for health, because it is rich in nutrients. Lettuce, which is included in green leafy vegetables, has very low calories and that is why fitness freaks include it in their diet. Water is also found in abundance in lettuce, hence it is helpful in keeping the body hydrated and you can make it a part of your diet in every season from winter to summer. Although lettuce is a foreign plant, its own varieties have started being grown in India too. You can also grow it in your home’s terrace, balcony, courtyard or kitchen garden.
Lettuce is quite expensive in the market because at present it is cultivated in only a few places in India. Lettuce mostly has to be bought from supermarkets or online. If you are a fitness freak or want to add crunch to your salads, burgers, wraps etc., then you can easily grow lettuce at home. You just have to follow some simple steps. Let us know all the details.
winter is the best season
The best time to grow lettuce is winter, because initially it needs a cold environment to grow. Temperatures between 55°F (12.8°C) and 75°F (23.9°C) are considered ideal for growing lettuce plants. These plants grow easily in cold weather and become mature in hot weather, hence they continue to grow comfortably. However, in case of frost it should be kept in the shade. In warm climates you can grow varieties like romaine and red lettuce.
Benefits and nutrients of lettuce
According to Health Line, Vitamin C is found in Iceberg Lettuce which is a powerful antioxidant and is quite helpful in boosting immunity. Apart from this, it is a source of calcium which is an essential nutrient for keeping our bones strong as well as for muscle function, nerve function and blood clotting. Nutrients like Vitamin K, Vitamin A (beta carotene which is beneficial for the eyes), folate, potassium, etc. are found in lettuce.
How to prepare the container?
To grow lettuce, you can use steel, plastic or clay container. The first step is that apart from making one hole at the bottom, you will have to make two to three more holes around the pot or container. Actually, lettuce plants grow well only in moisture. They can rot due to excess water. If you are planting it on the ground, then add vermicompost and level the soil and correct the slope so that water does not stagnate in the roots of the plants.
After preparing the container, the soil has to be prepared, for which you mix compost with potting soil and slightly moisten the soil and fill it in the pot. Actually, this allows the seeds to germinate well. If you want to plant seeds, fill the soil with a mound and then dig it little by little with a small hand rake to make it slightly aerated. Due to this, when the seeds germinate, their roots spread well.
How to plant lettuce seeds?
You can easily get lettuce seeds in super markets or online. Soak these seeds in water and remove the seeds floating on the surface of the water. After this, take out the remaining seeds and sow them at a distance of at least 1 to 2 inches. Spread a thin layer of potting mix soil on top and sprinkle a little water. Take care not to add too much water, only moisture should be maintained.
Lettuce seeds usually germinate in 7 to 10 days and if taken proper care like adequate sunlight, right water, temperature then they start growing rapidly. Initially two to three small leaves will emerge, which should be pruned. This provides proper space for the plant to grow. If you have to shift the plants from one place to another, then it is better to plant them at another place only after at least 20 to 25 days of sowing.
Lettuce Harvesting
After the lettuce leaves grow, sometimes insects start infesting them, to protect them you should spray neem oil. Apart from this, keep checking from time to time whether your plant needs fertilizer. In such a situation, you can make organic fertilizer from vegetables, fruit peels and dry leaves and apply it to the roots of the plant. Talking about its harvesting, you can usually cut small leaves from it in 30 to 35 days. The good thing is that once you plant lettuce, you can use it multiple times.
less time and less time
Lettuce is one of those plants that grows quickly. Its biggest advantage is that it does not take much time to mature and you can easily grow it even in small space. For this, you can use some vacant space or plant lettuce in containers and beds. If you have less space, you can install it in front of a small sunny window in your kitchen or anywhere in the house.
If you want to take cuttings of lettuce leaves, then pluck its upper leaves, so that the rest of the plant gets proper space to grow. If you are harvesting with scissors, then cut the leaves at a height of at least one to one and a half inches. Lettuce leaves become soft when stored, that is, their crunch reduces, hence it is better to pluck them and use them immediately. This is why growing it at home is even more beneficial. Organically grown fresh lettuce is a wonderful combination of health and taste.