Whether you're a lover of salads, insist on having lettuce in your sandwich for that satisfying crunch, or are looking to turn over a new leaf and start eating healthier foods, lettuce is a must-have in every refrigerator. Although you can likely purchase several varieties of lettuce at your local grocery store, you don't have to look further than your own garden for fresh, succulent lettuce. Not only is it more convenient to grow your own lettuce, it also allows you to know exactly what went into your lettuce crop, therefore ensuring that you are eating organic vegetables that are not laced with pesticides. To learn more about how to grow lettuce, read the tips and information provided below. Keep in mind that while most varieties of lettuce are very similar and therefore have similar needs, growing patterns, and the like, you may want to refer to the specific instructions provided on your seed packet or by a gardening expert if you are attempting to grow a designer or unfamiliar type of lettuce.

Lettuce is a relatively easy crop to grow. Some people, however, may have experienced trouble getting their lettuce to grow, or may have ended up with bitter or tough lettuce, if they attempted to grow their lettuce during the hot summer months. Lettuce is actually a cold weather crop, and therefore grows best in cooler conditions, such as those during the spring and autumn months. In fact, lettuce seeds will not germinate properly in weather that is hotter than about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).http://www.westcoastseeds.com/how-to-grow/Vegetable-Seeds/Lettuce/ Lettuce is actually frost tolerant, and can survive even if subjected to a few light frosts. Lettuce that has been subjected to frost is actually tastier than lettuce that has been grown in solely warm conditions, since the frost encourages the lettuce to produce more sugars, thus giving the lettuce a sweeter flavor.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DD31RWuH0

Lettuce can be grown either from seeds planted directly in the ground, or by starting seedlings indoors, and then transplanting the seedlings to an outdoor growing site. Your method of growing will depend on the seasonal conditions and where you live.

If it is early spring or early fall, when most of the frosty weather has passed, you can go ahead and plant your seeds directly outside. To do so:

1. Prepare your prospective lettuce plot by tilling the soil with a tiller or rake to break up any clumps and make the soil light and fluffy. Be sure to remove any rocks; because lettuce seeds are very small, any solid mass can inhibit or block their growthhttp://www.ehow.com/how_1988_grow-lettuce.html
2. If your soil is overly heavy or lacking in nutrients, work some organic matter, such as compost, into the soil. This will add nutrients and improve drainage capabilitieshttp://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html
3. Lettuce does best in soil with a pH of about 6.5. If necessary, add some lime to the soil to obtain the proper pH levelhttp://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html
4. If you want baby greens, make a shallow trench in the soil and sprinkle seeds liberally along the row—about four seeds per inchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DD31RWuH0
5. If head lettuce is what you're after, dig several shallow holes about six inches apart and place one seed in each holehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DD31RWuH0
6. Cover the seeds loosely with soil and water immediately
7. If you are growing head lettuce, thin the plants out if necessary, so that there is about a foot of space between each planthttp://www.westcoastseeds.com/how-to-grow/Vegetable-Seeds/Lettuce/

You can also start your lettuce seeds indoors if you want to get a jump-start on the growing season, or if you want to get some lettuce ready during the summer to transplant for a fall crop. Keep in mind that you will need a cool, but sunny area in which to do so. If you want fresh lettuce for an extended period of time, consider planting some seeds outside, and then starting a new crop of seedlings inside every few weeks. This way, you can first harvest the lettuce that has grown outdoors and then replace the lettuce plants as soon as they go to seed, therefore replenishing your lettuce crop on a regular and rotational basis.

1. Get a seed tray at least two inches deep and fill it about two-thirds of the way full with high-quality soil or compost
2. Sow the seeds by scattering them gently over the surface of the soil
3. Place a light sprinkling (about one-eighth of an inch) of compost or soil over the top of the seeds
4. Provide the seeds with a generous amount of water on a regular basis, but not so much that the tray gets boggy or muddyhttp://www.greenfootsteps.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html
5. Once the seeds begin to germinate, thin out the plants if necessary—you'll want about 2-3 inches between plantshttp://lettucegrowingtips.com/growing-and-transplanting-lettuce/
6. The seedlings are ready to be transplanted outdoors when they are about an inch highhttp://www.greenfootsteps.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html
7. Before transplanting, the seedlings should be allowed to "harden off" for two or three days. To harden off the seedlings, reduce the amount of water you're giving them and place them outside in a sheltered area to help get them used to being outsidehttp://www.westcoastseeds.com/how-to-grow/Vegetable-Seeds/Lettuce/
8. When you're ready to transplant, dig a hole in the ground at least as deep as the root base of the seedling and several times as wide. Gently separate a seedling from the seed tray, keeping as many of the roots in tact as possible and attempting to take some of the original soil with it.http://www.greenfootsteps.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html Place the seedling in the hole, fill up the remainder of the hole loosely with soil and water.
9. While lettuce seedlings will tolerate one transplant, they will not react well to another, so ensure that you place the seedlings the appropriate distance apart (10-12 inches, depending on the variety)

Because new lettuce plants are very delicate, they can be easily overtaken and pushed out by weeds. Therefore, to help ensure lettuce growing success, till the soil regularly to discourage weed growth and remove any weeds as soon as you notice them.http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

These delicate seedlings are also susceptible to pests, including slugs and snails. Tilling the soil regularly and keeping the area clean from any debris, such as dead or decaying leaves, will help discourage pests from congregating, and also help you spot them quickly if they do become a problem.http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/how-to-grow-lettuce.html

Since lettuce is mostly water, growing lettuce needs a steady supply of water. Keep your lettuce bed moist, but do not allow it to become soggy, as this will attract bugs and other pests. Avoid watering your plants at night, since lettuce that is left wet overnight is prone to mold and disease. If you are concerned that your soil is not retaining enough moisture, consider placing some organic mulch around the plants; this will not only help retain moisture, but will also provide nutrients to the growing plants.http://www.ehow.com/how_1988_grow-lettuce.html