How to Plant Butterhead Lettuce
When to Plant:
Butterhead lettuce is a cool-season vegetable and will bolt (depreciate and go to seed) in hot weather. Varieties differ on how long they take to mature, ranging from 45 to 60 days on average.
Plan to direct-sow seeds in the garden about two to four weeks prior to your area’s last projected frost date in the spring. The soil temperature should be between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can plant again in the fall once the temperature cools, though make sure there’s enough time for your variety to reach maturity before freezing weather arrives.
Selecting a Planting Site:
Pick a spot that gets full sun, though some afternoon shade is OK. Make sure no nearby larger plants will leaf out in the spring and shade your lettuce too much. The soil should be loose and well-draining. Container growth is also an option if you don't have the right garden space.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
The seeds need light to germinate, so just slightly press them into the soil. Rows should be spaced 12 to 15 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart. A support structure won’t be necessary.
Butterhead Lettuce Care
Light:
Butterhead lettuce grows best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sun per day. But it can tolerate partial shade. And in hot climates, it will appreciate shade from the strong afternoon sun.
Soil:
Like all lettuces, butterhead does well in an average to rich, loamy or somewhat sandy soil. Lettuce can succumb to rot in heavy clay or other poorly drained soils. 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 ideal moisture level will have your soil feeling like a wrung-out sponge.
Temperature and Humidity
Butterhead lettuce grows best in cool to moderate temperatures between 45 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Long days of increased light and temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit will signal your butterhead to bolt, which diminishes its flavor. Humidity typically isn't an issue as long as there's good air circulation around plants and proper soil moisture.
Fertilizer:
Nitrogen-rich fertilizer will promote quality leafy growth of butterhead lettuce. You can choose a single-ingredient simple fertilizer, such as blood meal, or add generous amounts of compost or manure to the soil prior to planting. Or opt for an organic vegetable fertilizer, following label instructions.
