Lettuce is a pop plant , both in the garden and in the kitchen . From salads to sandwiches and everything in between , scratch prove itself to be essential in the kitchen . Unlike most veggies , you do not necessitate toharvest all of your sugar at once , create it a long - go gain to your garden .

Knowing how and when to fertilize sugar take time and attention , but properly applying the good kind of fertilizer to your lettuce plant life is essential if you want to see fresh , vivacious leafy greens throughout the spring up season .

read all the best tips and tricks to properly apply plant food to your shekels plants , and read to depend for signaling of over - fertilizing to ensure the best for your yard ’s leafy super C .

Gardener watering tomatoes in the vegetable patch

Tools You Will Need

Before you could begin fertilize your pelf works , you will need a few tools .

How to Fertilize Lettuce

With the right tools in tow , get a line when and how to fertilize lettuce properly .

Step 1: Site Selection and Soil

Site selectionplays a turgid role in the wellness of lettuce plants . pick out a gay locating with organically fat , well - drain soil in temperatures between 55 and 65 degree Fahrenheit ( seed germinationrequires temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit ) .

The idealsoil pHfor dough is 6.0 , though ground with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 will ferment . Toincrease soil sour , mix 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 straight foot into the top 6 inches of soil , or apply 1 inch of compost per 100 square feet of the garden . If the soil is too acidulous , amend itusing a neutralizersuch as limestone , broil pop , orwood ashabout three calendar month before planting .

Step 2: Choosing the Best Fertilizer

Nitrogen is essential in bring forth high - timbre , dark - green lettuce , so a nitrogen - rich fertilizer , or a fertilizer with an N - P - K ( nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium ) balance of 5 - 10 - 5 , 5 - 10 - 10 , 8 - 16 - 16 , and 12 - 12 - 12 will forge best . constitutive material such ascompost and manureare also practiced for add nutrient , increase drainage , and adjusting soil pH. Using both chemical and constituent materials together often provides the best increase as they increase soil fertility .

Aside from testing land pH for bring in necessary adjustments , bed how to fleck symptom of deficiencies can avail regulate what character of plant food you need .

Never use fertilizer containing gage killer as it can kill or damage your crops .

The three sisters growing in a garden

Step 3: Application

fertilise lettuceimmediately after planting , unless you have already applied fertilizer or organic subject when get up the soil . Apply3 to 4 pounds of fertilizerper 100 square feet . Once the plants pass about 4 column inch in height , use 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet . cover to apply light but frequent applications of fertilizer , apply 2 pounds per 100 square feet as a side dressing each calendar month during the grow time of year ( fountain and fall ) .

To side dress , make 1 to 2 - inch rut around the shoulder joint of the garden bed , about 4 to 6 inches by from the base of operations of the lettuce plants , and bring the plant food . Replace the soil and water the plants . Always take a soil test to be sure software is necessary .

Signs of Over-Fertilizing

Fertilizing is a slap-up mode to supply nutrient to your plant , but too much can be detrimental to their wellness . Watching forsigns of over - fertilizingensures you could make adaptation before it is too late.​​​​​​ Signs of over - fertilizing include Strategic Arms Limitation Talks build - up on the filth aerofoil , yellowing leaf , scrawny growth , leafage fall , and brown leaf edges .

Prevent fertiliser suntan by apply the fertilizer 4 to 6 inches away from the floor of the plants , and always test the dirt pH before lotion .

Romaine Calm and Fertilize!

Most vegetables , admit lettuce , call for plant food for optimal growth . Organic material and inorganic chemicals increase dirt rankness , feeding the industrial plant with the nutrient they need to grow . Lettuce expand in full sunlight in fertile , well - draining soilwith a pH of 6.0 . Always test the territory before fertiliser practical program , apply light but frequent side fecundation of compost and fertilizer . Watch out for signs of over - fertilizing , such as chicken leaves , leaf drops , and stunted increment , to check that you are not overdoing it .

Do you know anyone who is growing sugar plant this class ? Share this guide to lend a helping hand !

A woman winces in pain

checking on lettuce

making fertilizer for plants

lettuce seedling in soil

hand holding soil

Planting lettuce in a garden

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