Q&A for How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce

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Can I eat bolted lettuce?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Yes, you can eat bolted lettuce. Sometimes after bolting, however, the lettuce will get tougher and taste more bitter. It is best eaten before it bolts.

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Question

My iceberg lettuce is growing tall but not forming heads. What should I do?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Lettuce will bolt (or go to seed) when the temperature is too high. Next season start your lettuce indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the first spring frost then transplant outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Harvest your lettuce before it starts growing tall or bolting.

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What do I do with the leftover part of the lettuce plants after harvesting it?

Community Answer

Leave the remainder of the plants in the soil of the garden to allow the nutrients of the plant matter to return to the soil for next year's garden. Removing all plant matter after growing a garden is very harmful to soil health and soil nutrient levels.

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Question

How long is the process from plantation to harvest?

Community Answer

About 70 days.

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Can I grow lettuce in an area with heavy rainfall?

Community Answer

They may be a little slower in development, but yes.

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My iceberg lettuce is growing tall but not forming heads. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

This may be a result of bolting. Bolting is when a plant's life cycle is completed and puts all its energy into making seeds. Bolting is caused by extreme temperatures or very cold temperatures. Lettuce are cool-season crops and cannot tolerate extreme temperatures (above 23*Celisus), Lettuce cannot also tolerate extreme cold temperatures (Below -2*Celisus) Go check the Lettuce if they have small seedlings on the top of the plant.

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I want to have a supply of lettuce through the year. Is it okay to plant lettuce in the winter?

TheGhung Fu

Community Answer

Most lettuce benefits from a shorter photo-period (short day plants) and cooler weather. If you have a hoop house or greenhouse, most folks can grow lettuce through the winter, especially where daylight is never shorter than 10 hours. Cold frames also work if you make sure they don't overheat during the day. I've also grown cabbages through the winter in a hoop house. They slow down mid December through mid January, but stay fresh until picked. I'm at 35 degrees north.

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Can I grow iceberg lettuce indoors?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, as long as it is in a sunny spot it should be alright. Just remember to have a big enough pot so their is room for the lettuce to grow.

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Can I grow iceberg lettuce in flower pots?

Community Answer

Yes, lettuce grows well in flower pots. Sow around eight seeds in a good sized pot. Put the pot in a cool space, this will help the seeds grow faster. Thin out the seedlings to avoid crowding; choose the strongest ones to keep growing.

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Can iceberg lettuce be grown hydroponically?

Community Answer

Yes it can. It takes a bit longer but it will eventually work.

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Can I grow iceberg lettuce with grow lights in a hydroponics setup?

Dustin Saukko

Community Answer

Yes, just make sure to keep the temperature in check, so it doesn't get too warm and bolt on you.

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