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Being able to grow some common veggies like lettuce at home can be a blessing for home cooks as it rules out the need to head to the grocery store just to make a simple salad. If you think that growing veggies at home requires a vast backyard space and proper weather conditions, you might be unaware of the fact that some veggies like lettuce can be grown indoors With just a little bit of effort.
Yes, lettuce can be grown indoors effortlessly at any time of the year. Be it spring or winter, with just some tips you can grow fresh lettuce easily and source it right from the pot when you want to make some fresh salad.
Not only does growing herbs at home save money, but it also makes sure that you get the crispiest and juiciest fresh lettuce straight from the garden. And you can grow a variety of lettuce in the comfort of your home. Here are some tips to follow to enjoy the freshest homegrown lettuce.
7 Tips To Grow The Best Lettuce Indoors
1) Select the right growing space
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Lettuce requires a sunny area to grow. When you're thinking of growing lettuce at home, make sure to choose the sunniest spot where you can get at least 6 hours of sunlight. Avoid placing lettuce in direct sunlight, to keep the leaves from burning on warm days.
2) Keep suitable growing condition
Lettuce grows in low temperatures. To make sure the seeds germinate properly you need to keep the temperature moderate between 55°F to 65°F. Lettuce grown in warm conditions tends to be much bitter in taste. Keep the environment humid to make sure leaves don't dry out in a drier atmosphere indoors.
3) Choose the right container for growing
Lettuce has shallow roots. Therefore A medium-sized tray is perfect for growing them. Whether you choose to grow from seeds or seedlings, a tray is perfect to contain the lettuce. Do not put a lot of seeds in one tray and make sure to keep a safe distance between them.
4) Use a seed starter mix
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Seed starting makes it easier To grow lettuce. This mix has the right drainage and little fertiliser. You can make it at home by mixing equal amounts of bagged and sterile compost, perlite and coarse sand. Make sure to moisturise the mix and warm it in light for a few minutes before planting the seeds.
5) Avoid planting the seeds too deep
Lettuce seeds require light to sprout up. If you bury them too deep in the soil, the light won't reach them and it will take longer to germinate and the risk of seeds being spoiled increases. Just spread the seeds out at a distance and lightly press them on the soil bed.
6) Avoid drenching seeds in water
Watering seeds with a watering can or a glass can cause the seeds to sink and make them accumulate to one side. To avoid this, use a mist bottle to spray the water. Make sure to keep the seeds well watered as dry soil can break and halt the growth.
7) Check out for week seeds
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Weak sprouts can make it difficult for stronger ones to grow. By removing the weak seeds, stronger ones get more room to grow. Also, it reduces the risks of seeds polluting the soil after getting spoiled.
With all these things in mind, you can harvest the freshest lettuce at home whenever you're making a salad or a sandwich. Keep an eye out for spoiled seeds and dryness to make sure your lettuce grows better than the ones available in the market.
