Great Lakes Lettuce Seeds typically take about 70-80 days to grow in the spring or summer, and about 90-100 days to grow in the fall. These time frames are important to consider when planning your garden, as they will help you determine when to plant your lettuce seeds and when you can expect to harvest your crisp, delicious heads of lettuce.
When I first started growing Great Lakes Lettuce in my own garden, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy they were to grow. I simply planted the seeds in well-drained soil, about 1/4 inch deep, and kept the soil consistently moist. It’s important to note that lettuce seeds need light to germinate, so you should avoid burying them too deep in the soil.
After about a week or two, I started to see the first tiny lettuce seedlings emerge from the soil. At this point, I thinned them out to give each plant enough space to grow. I usually left about 6-8 inches between each plant, but you can adjust this spacing based on the size of your garden and your personal preference.
As the lettuce plants continued to grow, I made sure to keep the soil consistently moist. Lettuce is a cool-season crop, so it appreciates regular watering and thrives in temperatures between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather gets too hot, the lettuce may bolt and go to seed, so it’s important to provide some shade or use a shade cloth to protect the plants during the hottest part of the day.
I also found it helpful to regularly fertilize my lettuce plants to promote healthy growth. I used a balanced organic fertilizer, following the instructions on the package for application rates and frequency. This helped ensure that my lettuce plants had the nutrients they needed to develop into large, crisp heads.
As the days passed, I watched as my Great Lakes Lettuce plants grew taller and their leaves expanded. It was a delight to see the beautiful, vibrant green heads forming. I knew they were getting close to harvest when the heads felt firm and the outer leaves began to curl inward.
When it was time to harvest, I simply cut the heads of lettuce at the base of the plant. I found that using a sharp knife or garden shears made the process quick and easy. I made sure to harvest in the morning, when the lettuce leaves were at their crispiest.
One of the things I love about growing Great Lakes Lettuce is that I can enjoy multiple harvests throughout the growing season. As I harvested the heads, I left the smaller, inner leaves to continue growing. This allowed me to enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown lettuce for salads, sandwiches, and more.
Great Lakes Lettuce Seeds typically take around 70-80 days to grow in the spring or summer, and about 90-100 days in the fall. They are low maintenance and easy to grow, making them a perfect choice for both home gardens and restaurants. With proper care and attention to watering, fertilizing, and harvesting, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of crisp, delicious lettuce.
