Growing Mesclun Lettuce Greens

Growing Mesclun Lettuce Greens in Your Garden

If you are growing a variety of lettuce greens in your garden, then you are growing a form of Mesclun. A packet of Mesclun seeds contains several varieties in one packet. This garden guide on “How to Grow Mesclun Greens” will help you to grow a superb crop of greens.

Mesclun isn’t a single variety of lettuce. Rather, it’s a combination of several varieties of loose-leaf lettuces, all in one seed packet. The dictionary definition states it can also contain a variety of herbs and even edible flowering plants. Gardeners love this loose-leaf mixture, as it spells “variety” in the salad bowl. Mesclun lovers savor the varying colors, textures, and tastes.

Note: There is no consensus on what greens, and what percentages, are included in Mesclun Lettuce. It varies by the seed company. And, you can certainly mix any variety of greens in your garden, in any proportion that you like.

To give you an idea of what may be in a Mesclun mix, Livingston Seed Company includes arugula, red Russian, endive, chervil, radicchio, red romaine, bibb, and salad bowl lettuces.

Mesclun Lettuce Plant Specifications

Days to Harvest: 35 to 45 days.

Plant height: 6 to 12 inches tall. However, you can pick two-to-four-inch leaves earlier.

Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 6.8 Ideal Soil pH by vegetable.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11

Plant Type: Annual.

Deer Resistant? No.

Native to: This mixture of lettuce varieties was first created in Provence, France.

Nutrition Data

One cup of shredded Mesclun lettuce mix contains approximately:

75 calories
1 g carbs
0 cholesterol
0.1 g fat
0.3 g fiber
0.3 g protein
5 mg sodium

Note: The values above may vary somewhat because the percentage mixture of seed varieties in Mesclun may vary from one manufacturer to another.

Planting Mesclun Seeds

Mesclun seeds are very fine. When planting in rows, spread the seeds as thinly as possible. You can also broadcast the seeds over an area, instead of planting in a row. No matter how hard you try, the seeds are difficult to disperse with the proper spacing. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of loose soil or starting mixture.

Tip: Some people sprinkle the seeds on top of a fine soil, and just water them in.

Mesclun lettuce is not meant to transplanted. They will grow just fine in an outdoor container on your patio or deck. When it comes time to harvest, just step outside your door and snip as many leaves as you need.

Germination: At the proper soil temperature mseclun seeds will germinate in as little as 3-4 days.

How to Grow Mesclun Lettuce

Light Requirement

Mesclun lettuce plants grow best when planted in a location where they receive at least five to six hours or more of direct sunlight. They benefit from a little partial shade during the hot midday period.

This is a cool-weather plant. In warm areas of the county, grow them in partial shade. While this is not optimum for plant production, it helps to avid wilting, bolting and sun scald.

Planting and Soil Needs

Mesclun lettuce is easy to grow. Plant them in a location where they will receive full sun to partial, light shade. The soil should be rich, fertile, and well-draining. As a cool weather crop, the plants grow best when planted as a spring or Fall crop.

Sow the seeds of these fast-growing greens directly into the garden. Spread the small seeds as thinly as possible. Cover very lightly with a fine starter or garden soil. Keep soil moist during the germination period. Fast sprouting seedlings should emerge in about 5-10 days.

Fertilizer Needs

Fuel the growth of these greens with plenty of fertilizer. Apply a nitrogen rich fertilizer every two to three weeks. The plants also respond well to liquid fertilizer, too.

Water Needs

Another trick to successfully growing lettuce is to keep it growing fast, with lots of water. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, during the entire growing cycle.

Other Steps

Weeds compete with Mesclun lettuce for nutrients and soil moisture. As a result, you can maximize growth and plant health bey keeping the area well-weeded.

Hard as it may be, thinning seedlings will result in a better crop

Importantly, time the crop to mature before the onset of hot dry weather. In hot, humid conditions, the plant is likely to bolt…go to seed. Also, the plants can rot in hot and humid conditions.

Succession planting is a popular practice with all lettuces. Plant successive crops for a constant supply of Mesclun. Plant small sections in your garden every couple of weeks.

Also See:

Plant Problems – how to identify and correct them

Soil Temperatures – germination temperature by vegetable

Ideal Soil pH – by vegetable

Insects and Pests

Bunnies like all kinds of lettuce. Got bunnies!? Then, a rabbit fence is in your future.

A variety of insects can pose a real problem. Lettuce is delicate and can absorb many insecticides. If you want or need to use insecticides, look for brands that are less harmful to you and the environment. We like to avoid insecticides on leafy vegetables wherever possible. we suggest organic sprays, and a willingness to give up some of the harvest to insects, versus using pesticides. After all, one of the reasons most of us have gardens is to avoid pesticides.

Slugs are a real problem for all types of lettuces. There are a variety of control methods. More on Slugs and snails.

Growing Mesclun Lettuce in Containers

You can grow Mesclun lettuce in containers on your patio or deck.

In addition to normal plant care (above), here’s how to grow Mesclun greens in containers:

Select a sunny location on your balcony or deck. However, the portable container scan be moved around as needed, to give them more sunlight, or to shelter them from the hot summer rays of the sun.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every few days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a container are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.

Plant Disease

Mesclun lettuce grows quickly and has a short life span. Disease problems are few, except in wet weather. In hot weather, they can get bitter, and they can rot.

Plant Problems – Diagnosis, causes, and cures for many common plant problems.

Harvesting Mesclun Lettuce Plants

Pick Mesclun as soon as it is big enough to use. We recommend harvesting with a clean, sharp knife or scissors.

Each lettuce in the mix may have a different number of days to harvest. But, once they reach a harvestable size, the plants should produce for weeks.

Also, With the varying days to maturity by variety, an early cutting will likely have a slightly different proportion of each lettuce and a later cutting.

Plant Hardiness

Like other lettuces, Mesclun greens thrive during cooler weather, with moderate moisture. The plants are is not fond of mid-summer heat, or dry conditions. As a result, many gardeners will plant a crop for spring and early summer harvest, leaving the mid-summer months to the tomatoes and the corn. Then, as the late summer heat begins to wane, they plant a new lettuce crop for a fall harvest.

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