Description

Growing Iceberg lettuce in your home garden is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, crispy salad greens. While it’s a bit more particular than loose-leaf varieties, it’s still very doable with the right care.

🥬 Iceberg Lettuce in the Home Garden

🧾 Quick Overview:

• Type: Crisphead lettuce

• Botanical name: Lactuca sativa

• Texture: Crunchy, tightly-packed head

• Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet

• Ideal for: Salads, sandwiches, wraps

🌱 Growing Iceberg Lettuce from Seeds

✅ Best Conditions:

• Climate: Cool weather (ideal: 15–22°C / 59–72°F)

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Loose, fertile, well-draining soil with compost

• pH: 6.0–7.0

📋 Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Seed Starting

• Start indoors in seed trays or sow directly in garden beds/pots

• Sow seeds ¼ inch deep, thinly spaced

• Germination in 7–10 days

2. Transplanting (if started indoors)

• Transplant after 3–4 weeks, when seedlings have 3–4 true leaves

• Spacing: 12–16 inches apart for head development

3. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist, but not soggy

• Avoid overhead watering to reduce risk of rot and disease

4. Fertilization

• Mix in compost before planting

• Side-dress with organic fertilizer (like compost tea or vermicompost) every 2–3 weeks

5. Pests/Diseases to Watch For:

• Aphids, slugs, snails, and leaf miners

• Use neem oil or companion plants like marigold to deter pests

🧺 Harvesting:

• Time to harvest: 70–85 days after sowing

• Harvest when the head feels firm and full-sized

• Don’t wait too long—overripe lettuce can bolt (flower), turning bitter

🌿 Container Gardening Tips:

• Use a container at least 8–10 inches deep

• Ensure good drainage

• Partial shade in hot climates helps prevent bolting