ANR-1092, New Jan 1998. By Mary Beth Musgrove, Extension Associate, Department of Horticulture, Auburn University.

Horticulture Notes Grow Lettuce In Spring Or Fall

If you have a small place in your garden but can't decide what to plant, why not plant some lettuce?

Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that grows best in 60 to 65° F temperatures, but can be grown at temperatures as low as 32° F and as warm as 80 to 90° F. Although fall is the best time to plant lettuce, it can be planted in early spring. Many lettuce cultivars are being developed to be more heat tolerant than ever before.

Lettuce cultivars fall into four main categories: crisphead lettuce, looseleaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, and butterhead types.

Looseleaf lettuces are a good choice for gardens in Alabama. They have a maturity date of 40 to 50 days and have good heat tolerance. Curly Oak Leaf and Royal Oak Leaf are two looseleaf lettuces you may want to plant. Included in looseleaf lettuce varieties are colored-leaf lettuce. For example, Red Sails is an All-America Selection winner with red leaves. Rouge Salad Bowl is another variety with red leaves. Sierra lettuce leaves are green with a red blush.

Aquarius is a butterhead lettuce. It is a more upright, rounded-leaf lettuce but takes longer to mature (55 to 70 days). Buttercrunch is a favorite butterhead lettuce.

Romaine lettuce is popular in markets and has become one of the favorite lettuces for salads. This tall, upright-lettuce can grow 8 to 19 inches tall. This lettuce is also referred to as Cos types. Paris Island Cos is a good variety to plant. It is fast maturing and slow to bolt.

The most available lettuce seed is a crisphead lettuce cultivar called Iceberg. Sound familiar? It is commonly found in many garden centers. Iceberg takes 80 to100 days to mature and is grown in square-foot gardens, raised bed gardens and container gardens. One caution--grow this one in a fall garden.

Lettuce needs a soil pH of 6.5 to 6.8. It is sensitive to low pH. Plant in a well-drained soil that is capable of holding moisture. You may need to add organic matter to the soil. If you mulch too heavily, you may harbor snails that will feed on the lettuce, so mulch sparingly.

Most lettuces are established by direct seed or transplants. If there is danger of a late frost after planting, cover with a row cover. Intersperse lettuce with ornamental plantings. The colors and textures will accent your garden.

For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find the number.