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Growing lettuce in pots/containers organically at home in USA

Lettuce is a seasonal vegetable that can harvest only in 1.5 to 3 months. It grows in limited space and can grow in containers. But growing in the right climate and at the right time is not enough for growing lettuce in pots. For that, you need proper care, regular feeding, irrigation, and checkup with some knowledge of lettuce growing.

Let's understand things at a beginner level. Although there are other ways to grow lettuce in hydroponics and aero gardening, here, I'll tell you the method of growing it in soil pots.  

How to grow lettuce in pots or containers Organically?

Growing lettuce in pots needs bigger containers and it is always best to grow one lettuce in one container to provide the best possible feeding fertilizers, space, and moisture. 

Growing lettuce in pots

Growing lettuce at home with organic methods is a very healthy vegetable option. Let's understand it in more depth.  

Season of sowing lettuce

In warm climates, lettuce seeding is comfortable in mid-spring and early fall. During this period, the temperature is either keep maintained at a moderate level or habitable to grow lettuce.

The temperature shouldn't take a spike in growth or drop drastically while growing or seeding. 

Requirements to grow

Let's understand the minimum requirements to grow Lettuce in pots or containers at home-

  • Types of container

To grow lettuce, you need deep and slightly wide containers that contain drainage holes. Containers should be 10 inches deep and 12 inches wide. It is better to grow lettuce in plastic containers. 

Lightweight containers are always helpful for lettuce, if you are considering metal containers(with the same measurements), then it will increase the challenge but not bad at all. At a stage, you need a big container to mix soil with fertilizers and sand. This should be large enough so that you can prepare the soil for as many containers as you have. 

  • Soil type

Highly organically fertilized loamy-sandy soil is very good for lettuce growing. It should drain the water to release overmoisture. 

  • Temperature and humidity 

For the initial seeding, the temperature should be above 50F all the time. For mid-growth, the temperature can take rise up to 80F is normal for lettuce. Also, in dropping temperatures, the margin shouldn't be drastic.

Humidity should be 25% to 30% at the time of sowing. It can decrease till harvesting and the atmosphere can become drier for harvesting.

  • Irrigation

Regular irrigation is required in hot climates. Once a day and in very low humidity, twice a day. 

With drainage, you can provide two inches of water to each pot. 

  • Fertilizers

Vermicompost and organic biomass compost are the best organic fertilizers options for lettuce. 

Apart from organic compost, I'll not suggest you use a chemical growth booster for lettuce. 

Steps to grow lettuce in pots

Step 1- Choosing the right containers

Your first step should be choosing a right 

container for your plantation.

Step 2-  Soil preparation

Ordinary garden soil is not too ideal for lettuce growth. So you need to prepare a fertilized mixture of soil, compost, and sand for your lettuce plants. Take a ratio of 3:1:1 of garden soil, vermicompost, and sand respectively. Mix this in a large container as I suggested above.

Step 3- Seeding and germination

Fill the soil mixture in the pots that you want to grow lettuce in. Spray some water and pinch lettuce seeds 2 3 centimeters deep in the soil and cover it.

After a week to 10 days, seeds start germination in the pots. With less than a 10% of mortality rate, your germinated seeds will start growing fast soon.  

Step 4- Growing in direct sunlight

Growing lettuce in direct sunlight is very helpful for its post-germination growth in pots. Daily 5 to 7 hours of direct sunlight is very helpful for lettuce if you keep moisture in the soil. 

Step 5- Regular irrigation

In initial growing days, small lettuce plants don't need irrigation more than once a day and sometimes once in two days. But for mid-growth, when the temperature is too high then keep regular irrigation on daily basis and sometimes twice a day. 

Step 6- Fertilization

After 25 to 30 days, you can fertilize your lettuce plants once with vermicompost. Fertilization is required only once during its growth. This is a month before the harvesting of matured lettuce. 

Step 7- Harvesting fresh organic lettuce

With all the precautions and the right steps taken, your lettuce will become ready in 1.5 to 3 months. Use a sharp knife for cutting lettuce with the direct stem. 

Wash and use as you want to. 

Precautions while growing lettuce

  • Don't use a growth booster if lettuce grows slowly or does not grow big enough. Let it complete the cycle and harvest it with its mature stage. It is better than using a growth booster. 
  • Don't forget to make drainage holes in the pots. 
  • Don't fertilize more than once during the entire growth cycle.
  • Don't pinch the seeds too deep otherwise, they will take too much time to germinate.
  • Don't keep them in the dark for more than overnight. If you do so then they may get some kind of paleness or yellowish leaves. 
  • Don't ignore irrigation while you keep lettuce pots outside at too hot a temperature. 

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