How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce Plants
About Growing Iceberg Lettuce
No doubt about it. Iceberg lettuce is the king. Iceberg is a head lettuce. And, this lettuce is by far the most popular in the kitchen, and in stores. Iceberg lettuce has a tightly formed head of crisp, sweetly blanched leaves. Leaves on the outside are green, giving way to blanched pale yellow to whitish center leaves The sweetest leaves are in the center. Growing to about a foot in diameter, iceberg lettuce is a staple in the kitchen for salads, on sandwiches, shredded in snacks, as a garnish, and an essential ingredient in countless recipes. For a great crop, take a few moments to read this guide on “How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce”.
Iceberg lettuce is a cool-weather crop that requires a long growing season. In many areas, it begins to mature just as warm weather hits. The result can be splitting bolting or rotting of heads. So, we recommend an early, indoor start in the spring.
Did You Know? 73% of the lettuce consumed in the United States is Iceberg lettuce.
Planting Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce seeds can be sowed directly into the garden or started indoors. We recommend an indoor start, to allow time for the lettuce to mature, before hot weather sets in. First, sow a few lettuce seeds in each cell of a seed tray. Next, cover the seeds very lightly with fine starter soil. Then, keep the soil in the seed tray moist during the germination period.
In about 5-10 days, the seedlings will sprout. Then, thin seedlings to one plant per cell. Or, use small scissors, to thin plants. Simply snip seedlings off at ground level.
Tip: When beginning transplants, stagger the start of your seedlings to spread out the crop. For example, if you are going to grow 24 Iceberg lettuce plants, sow six in the seed tray today, sow six more a week later, etc.
Transplant lettuce seedlings into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Ideally, transplant them on a cool or cloudy day. Water well after transplanting.
Final Spacing: Space plants 12″ apart in rows 18″ apart.
How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce Plants
Grow plants in full sun. The soil should be rich, fertile, and well-draining.
The trick to successfully growing lettuce is to keep it growing fast, with lots of water and fertilizer. Keep the soil moist. Frequent use of nitrogen-rich fertilizer is recommended. Iceberg lettuce plants respond well to regular applications of liquid fertilizer.
Transplanting Tip: When transplanting any type of lettuce in hot weather, place some form of sunshade over the plant for a couple of days. Any makeshift shade will do.
It’s important to time the crop to mature before the onset of hot dry weather. In these conditions, the plant is bolt…go to seed. It can also split or rot.
For a fall crop, an indoor start is best. Lettuce seeds do not germinate well in the hot soil of mid-summer.
Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0. Ideal Soil pH by vegetable by vegetable
Also, see:
Soil Temperatures – Ideal germination temperature by vegetable.
How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce - 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. Iceberg 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 for lettuce. Also, heed the amount of time you have to wait to harvest the crop after spraying…..it’s all on the label of the spray 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
Lettuce plants will wilt and rot in hot, humid weather.
Also, Iceberg lettuce plants will bolt, or go to seed stage, in higher heat. Rotting can also occur in wet soils.
Plant Problems – Diagnosis, causes, and cures for many common plant problems.
Harvesting Iceberg Lettuce
Days to Harvest: Plants need 80 – 90 days to reach maturity.
If you have a big crop, begin to harvest iceberg lettuce after the head begins to form. The outer leaves are edible. However, the outer leaves are not sweet like the blanched inner leaves. Harvest when the heads are big and tightly packed. Once they reach this stage, bolting is but a few days away.
Plant Hardiness
Iceberg lettuce thrives in cooler weather. But, 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 before the first fall frost date for your area.
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