Can I grow lettuce year-round?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Cultivating lettuce constantly entails adjusting to the seasonal extremes that will be part of the growing process. I harvest lettuce year-round,through winters with -20°F (-29°C) and summers with 100°F (38°C),with simple tools. Cold frames allow me to extend my fall crops, and shade cloth protects with summertime plantings. I do hydroponics indoors to create timely crops even in the fulcrum of the weather and can hold a 90% market harvest.
Cold Frame Construction
- Use ¾-inch polycarbonate panels
- Angle 15° toward winter sun
- Add thermal mass with water jugs
- Vent above 50°F (10°C)
Hydroponic Setup
- Maintain 5.8-6.2 pH
- 18-hour LED light cycles
- Use 10-10-10 nutrient solution
- Change water weekly
Soil management takes seasons into account. Winter crops require 30% compost because of its ability to generate heat. Summer mixes demand 40% vermiculite, as it keeps the moisture in the soil mix. My three-tier cart system is also used for seedlings, mature plants, and soil components - rotating them to develop seedlings takes advantage of space and light requirements.
Water systems act as buffers against stress from the weather. Drip lines equipped with thermostatic valves automatically adjust the flow according to temperature. In the winter, plants are watered around noon; in the summer, plants are watered around dawn. Self-watering containers, which maintain a 2-gallon water reservoir, will keep plants alive for roughly 10 days while on vacation or during extreme weather events.
Succession planting allows you to enjoy a continual harvest of your plants. Simply plant new seeds every 14 days in labeled trays. I have been using colored flags for years. Blue is for winter varieties and yellow is for summer varieties. This system allows me to avoid mistakes and keep my production in yearly cycles as I grow them year-round.
Read the full article: How to Grow Lettuce: Expert Tips for Every Gardener
