Garden lettuces are simple and fun to grow. Most lettuces can thrive in various locations, making them a great choice. Cut-and-come-again lettuce mixes allow you to harvest leaves and let them regrow, so you don’t have to replant them for a continued harvest.

Growing leaf lettuces has a key benefit over head lettuce: they can be harvested for a longer time. You can cut the small leaves about 3 inches above the ground and let them regrow. This regrowth is known as the “Come Again” phase. 

Easy Steps on How To Grow Lettuce:

Nutrients in Red and Green Leaf Lettuces

Vitamins & Minerals in Red Leaf Lettuce

Vitamins & Minerals in Green Leaf Lettuce

1. SOILS:

• All leaf lettuce needs soil that drains well and has a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. You can raise the pH using wood ash or garden limestone.
• The soil should be moist but not soaked.
• You can grow lettuce in garden beds, containers, or pots.
• Make sure your containers have at least 10 inches of soil for healthy root growth.
• Use organic all-purpose fertilizer or compost.

Depending on your geographic location, soils vary tremendously and need different soil amendments.

It is easy to find out how to test your soil with this inexpensive soil tester from Amazon.

Find Your Zone: FREE USDA Hardiness Zone Planting Guide

2. SUNLIGHT:

Lettuce thrives in full sun but can handle some shade. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for a healthy crop.

3. TEMPERATURE:

Lettuce grows best in cool to moderate temperatures. It does not do well in hot weather, so plant it early in spring and again in late summer or early fall for a second harvest.

For fall planting, sow your seeds about 40 days before the first frost in your area.

4. PLANTING:

Leaf Lettuces need to be planted early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. 

Specifics on Planting Leaf Lettuce:

1. Plant in single rows
2. Cover with 1/8 inch dirt and tap firm
3. Seeds should be planted 2″ apart in rows
4. Rows should be 18″ apart
5. 12 seeds per 1 foot
6. Hand Weed or Mulch to suppress weeds

Leaf lettuces grow quickly, so keep the soil wet.

French watering cans are very helpful for this.

♦Note: Add this info to your gardening journal.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUCCESSION PLANTINGS.

5. COLD HARDINESS:

Plant as soon as the soil is ready in spring. Leaf lettuce grows well in cool weather, but watch out for long periods of cold and wet conditions, as seeds won’t sprout then.

6. DAYS TO GERMINATE: about 7 days

Leaf lettuces usually germinate in about 7 to 9 days.

7. THINNING:

Thin plants only if they are too close together. Seedlings should be about 3 inches apart as they grow. Move small seedlings to fill any gaps in your rows.

Cut and Come Again Lettuce mixes are great for baby greens. You can start harvesting in about 21 to 28 days.

After the first cut, new leaves will start to grow back. Look for them to be ready in about 2 weeks for small leaves or 3 weeks for larger leaves. 

8. VARIETIES of LEAF LETTUCES:

I recommend the following varieties of lettuce. These work well for mixes, too! Reds and greens make for a lively lettuce patch.

• Green Romaine
• Black Seeded Simpson
• Red Sails
• Green Endive
• Mesclun Mixes
• Gourmet Salad Blend

If you grow a lot of lettuces, then purchase individual varieties and mix them yourself. This way you will be creating your own cut-and-come-again lettuce mixes!

9. DAYS to MATURITY: 

Dates vary, but you can harvest mature lettuce in about 35 to 45 days.

Leaf lettuce grows at different speeds depending on the type. I usually pick my romaine as leaf lettuce, or you can wait until it forms a full head.

Baby lettuce leaves can be ready in as little as 21 days. They are tender and tasty!

10. HOW to HARVEST: 

• Begin picking your leaf lettuce as soon as it is a nice size for salads and sandwiches.
• Cut the entire row or pick individual leaves. Either way works fine.
• Rinse lettuce and spin in a salad spinner. Pour out water and store it in a spinner in the refrigerator.

11. STORAGE IDEAS: 

• Wash and store for fresh eating.
• Lettuce does not freeze well. 
• Store in a spinner or crisper drawer in the refrigerator.
• Dehydrate and grind for fine powder to add nutrition to soup and stews or sprinkle as a topping for potatoes or rice.

12. RECIPE IDEAS for Leaf Lettuce:

• Baby Leaf Lettuce with Olives & Watermelon
• Leaf Lettuce with Parmesan Crisps
• Rolls of leaf lettuce wrapped around cream cheese and fresh chives make a tasty appetizer.

Do Not Forget to:

• Eat Fresh!
• These lettuces are great for healthy garden salads.
• They look beautiful as garnishes and are excellent on vegetable trays!

Fresh mixed greens are ideal for cut-and-come-again mixes.

Fresh lettuces offer unbeatable quality and taste. They are perfect for market gardens or farm stands.

Harvest lettuce right before washing and eating to enjoy it at its best! It’s very fresh and nutritious.

13. CONTAINER GARDENS & GREENHOUSES:

Leaf lettuces from the Cut and Come Again types are great for container gardening and greenhouses.

I planted multiple containers of different leaf lettuce types over time. This method, called succession planting, involves sowing seeds every 1 to 2 weeks to extend your harvest. 

14. COMPANION PLANTING for LEAF LETTUCES:

When planning your garden, think about how different plants work together. Lettuces grow better when they have good companions, which makes them tastier and more productive. They especially like to be near Brassicas, such as broccoli and cabbage.

Carrots, cucumbers, onions, radishes, and tomatoes are also great neighbors for lettuce. These plants can help keep pests away and improve the soil, helping the lettuce grow.

However, some plants do not mix well with lettuce. Avoid beans, celery, and parsley because they can slow down lettuce growth. Celery and parsley may compete for nutrients and water, while beans can harm the soil.

By choosing the right companion plants, you can create a healthy garden that helps all your plants thrive and boosts your harvest.

15. Final Words

Cut and Come Again Lettuce mixes are easy to grow and can be harvested multiple times. You cut the leaves while keeping the base of the plant intact.

These mixes are perfect for home gardens. They grow well in cooler weather and can be planted in containers or directly in the soil.

With little care, gardeners can enjoy fresh greens all season long.

Cut and Come Again Lettuce mixes are a great option for both new and experienced gardeners.

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