A Fitting Name for a Buttery, Sweet Lettuce
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Butterheadlettuce(Lactuca sativa var.
capitata) features loosely formed, green or reddish-purple heads with a noticeably smooth flavor and texture.
Varieties differ on how long they take to mature, ranging from 45 to 60 days on average.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
The soil temperature should be between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The soil should be loose and well-draining.
Container growth is also an option if you don’t have the right garden space.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Rows should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart.
Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart.
A support structure wont be necessary.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
But it can tolerate partial shade.
And in hot climates, it will appreciate shade from the strong afternoon sun.
Lettuce can succumb to rot in heavy clay or other poorly drained soils.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
So if this describes your soil, consider container culture or amend your soil to improve it.
A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is best.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist from planting until harvest.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
The ideal moisture level will have your soil feeling like a wrung-out sponge.
Fertilizer
Nitrogen-rich fertilizer will promote quality leafy growth of butterhead lettuce.
Or opt for an organic vegetable fertilizer, following label instructions.
Bothlettuce typesadd crispness when eaten raw.
Harvesting Butterhead Lettuce
Unlike many vegetables, its almost impossible to harvest butterhead lettuce too early.
The smallest leaves are tender and delicious.
Wash and dry the leaves immediately, and then store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
Aim to use your lettuce within about a week.
Container growth can also help you thwart ground-dwelling pests.
Plus, butterhead lettuce is surprisingly attractive in a mixed container garden.
Choose a pot that’s at least 6 to 8 inches wide and deep.
Individual plants should be spaced roughly 4 inches apart.
They can tolerate closer spacing in pots than the ground because there won’t be competition from weeds.
The container should have drainage holes, and you should use an organic, loose vegetable potting mix.
Unglazed clay is a good container material to allow excess soil moisture to evaporate through its walls.
Avoid disturbing the delicate roots with repotting.
If plants get crowded, harvest and start over with new plantings.
Pruning
Beyond what you harvest, pruning shouldn’t be necessary.
So remove it promptly.
Moisten the soil prior to slightly pressing in the seeds, and then continue to keep the soil moist.
Place the container in bright, indirect light, and expect germination in about a week.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Several common garden pests can impact lettuce.
They includeaphids, cutworms, earwigs, whiteflies, slugs, and snails.
Some common diseases include lettuce mosaic virus,powdery mildew, and white mold.
It’s often best to remove and destroy affected plants.
Then, start over in a new area.
Most butterhead lettuce varieties are ready to be harvested within roughly two months of planting seeds.
But leaves also can be harvested anytime as needed.
Butterhead lettuce is an annual, meaning it completes its growth cycle in one season.
Lettuce, butterhead (includes Boston and bibb types), raw nutrition facts & calories.
