How to Grow Bibb Lettuce Plants
Bibb Lettuce plants are a heading variety of lettuce. It forms a loose head.
It is tasty, with a distinctive flavor that's popular with home gardeners.
Like other lettuces, Bibb lettuce is a cool weather crop. Time your
spring crop to mature prior to the onset of hot and humid weather. Summer's
heat can result in splitting bolting, or rotting of heads. We recommend an
indoor start in the spring for an early crop for your salad bowl.
How to Grow Bibb Lettuce:
Bibb lettuce seeds can be sowed directly into the garden, or started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors, spreading these small seeds as thinly as possible.
For indoor starts, sow a few Bibb lettuce seeds in each cell of a seed tray.
Cover very lightly with a fine starter soil. Keep soil moist during the
germination period. In about 7-10 days, the seedlings will sprout. Thin
seedlings, after they are about 1/2" to 1" tall. To avoid disturbing the
roots, snip plants off at the base, leaving just a few to continue growing.
Tip: When beginning transplants, stagger the start of your seedlings
to spread out the crop. For example, if you are going to plant 24 plants,
sow seeds into six cells or peat pots. Sow six more 4-7 days later, etc.
Transplant into the garden after all danger of frost has past. Ideally,
transplant them on a cool or cloudy day. Water well after transplanting.
Space plants 10" apart, in rows 18" apart.
Like other lettuces, the trick to growing Bibb lettuce, is to grow
it quickly. The soil should be rich, fertile, and well draining. Keep the
soil moist. Frequent use of nitrogen rich fertilizer is recommended. The
plants respond well to regular applications of liquid fertilizer and
compost tea.
Transplanting Tip: When transplanting any type of lettuce in hot weather,
place some form of sun shade over the plant for a couple of days. Any makeshift
shade will help to minimize transplanting shock.
It's important to time the crop to mature prior to the onset of hot
dry weather. In these conditions, the plant is bolt...go to seed. It can
also split or rot.
For your fall crop, an indoor start is best. Lettuce seeds do not germinate
well in the hot soil of mid-summer.
Harvesting:
Days to Harvest: Bibb lettuce plants need 55-60 days to reach maturity.
Thinning Bibb lettuce? Use the thinned plants in your salad! If you
just can't wait for some fresh, home grow Bibb lettuce, harvest the leaves
as soon as they are big enough to use on a sandwich or in a salad. As you
thin the rows, use culled plants.
Bibb lettuce forms loose heads when mature. If this is your first time growing,
it's sometimes hard to tell when they are fully mature. When in doubt, harvest
a head, eat, and enjoy!
Insects and Pests:
Bunnies like lettuce. Got bunnies!? Then, a rabbit fence is in your future.
Insects can become a real problem, too. A wide variety of insects like lettuce.
Lettuce is delicate, and can absorb insecticides. If an infestation occurs,
we recommend insecticidal soaps and organic repellents. If you choose chemical
sprays, read the label carefully, to make sure it is safe to use on lettuce
and other leafy vegetables. Also, heed the amount of time you have to wait
to harvest the crop after spraying...it's all on the label of the insecticide
you purchase.
Slugs are a real problem for all types of lettuces. There are a variety of
control methods. More on Slugs and
snails.
Plant Problems and Disease:
Bibb lettuce will wilt and rot in hot, humid weather. The plant will also
bolt or go to seed stage in higher heat. Rotting can also occur in wet soils.
More on Bolting
Plant Problems - Diagnosis,
causes and cures for many common plant problems.
Hardiness:
Bibb lettuce thrives in cooler weather. It is also susceptible to frost.
It does not like mid-summer heat, or dry conditions. Set your first crop
outdoors after the last spring frost. Time your Fall crop to mature prior
to the first fall frost date for your area.
Related Topics:
Buy Bibb Lettuce and Vegetable Seeds Deep discounts
on the finest quality Ferry Morse and Lilly Miller seeds, with their famous
"guarantee to grow". The very best quality, the very best prices.
Plant Problems - how to identify
and solve them
Pest Netting - Keep rabbits, deer, and other foraging
animals out!
Are Deer, Bunnies or birds feasting on your lettuce plants?
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