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START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In cool spring weather, start seeds in full sun. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep evenly moist but not soggy. As seedlings begin to grow, it’s critical to thin out young plants to a final spacing of 10 inches apart so they have room to mature to large, leafy rosettes (extra seedlings will transplant easily to grow elsewhere).

Container Growing: Plan on 5 to 7 full heads in a 16 to 18 inch pot or a 9 x 12 inch windowbox; 3 full heads in an 8 inch pot.

GROWING NOTES

Lettuce thrives in cool conditions. Carefully thin and keep evenly moist for sweet tasting, full heads. For a constant supply, make several sowings a few weeks apart until summer heat comes on. In hot weather, give lettuce some afternoon shade and check water daily. Feed with liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Sow more seed in late summer for delicious fall harvests.

HARVEST AND USE

Use these little beauties in containers or as an edible garden accent or border. Or transplant seedlings around edges of a big pot holding a young tomato or pepper plant, then harvest when the bigger plants need the space. Savor young thinnings in your first spring salads. Harvest mature little heads when they are solid and well-filled out. Pull over-mature plants if they begin to elongate (“bolt”) in hot weather.