Holly's Homestead
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Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green

Lettuce

Lactuca sativa · Daisy family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown or seedling
MATURITY 30–60 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent, light
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
20–30cm
Depth
0.5cm

01Succession sowing

A small, continuous sowing every couple of weeks beats one big planting — lettuce bolts quickly in heat, so little and often keeps a steady supply.

02Planting

Method
Direct sow or transplant seedlings; sow shallow, seed needs light to germinate.
Soil
Loose, moisture-retentive, high organic matter.
Timing
Sow year-round in mild zones; avoid peak summer heat, which triggers bolting.

03Growing care

  • Keep soil consistently moist — lettuce turns bitter under water stress.
  • Provide light afternoon shade in hot weather.
  • Harvest outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again supply.
  • Succession sow every 2 weeks.

04Problems

  • Bolting — heat stress; grow in cooler months or with shade.
  • Slugs and snails — shred young leaves; use barriers or hand-pick.
  • Aphids — cluster in the heart; hose off.
  • Tip burn — calcium deficiency from irregular watering; keep moisture even.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Leaves reach usable size — pick outer leaves anytime, or the whole head once formed.
Method
Cut at the base, or pick outer leaves individually.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge crisper, up to a week.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
CarrotRadishStrawberryCucumber
Avoid nearby
Broccoli (heavy shade)
Rotation note
Fast-growing filler crop; rotate loosely with other families.