How do you know when lettuce seeds are ready to harvest?

Seeds are ready to harvest once they’ve formed clusters topped by white fluff similar to a dandelion flower. Seed heads don’t ripen at the same time, and they will drop their seeds if not collected promptly.

Can you get lettuce seeds from lettuce?

Yes, lettuce gets seeds. Most people never see them because they pull out the plant long before it has a chance to set seed. One lettuce plant produces a ton of seeds. So you really only need to allow one or two from each of your favorite varieties to go to seed.

Can you regrow Cos lettuce?

Unlike regrowing green onions or regrowing celery, you won’t be able to regrow a full head of lettuce. You’ll just regrow a few leaves 2-4 inches long. Enough for a sandwich. Regrown lettuce will bolt (send out a seed stalk) before it grows a full head of lettuce.

How long does lettuce take to grow from seed?

7-15 days
Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer.

Should I let my lettuce go to seed?

When lettuce goes to seed, it will drop to the ground and spring up when your stalks are dying back. If you let your spring greens go to seed, your fall garden will come to life right on time. Since lettuces are light feeders, I’ll allow them to re-seed in the same spot once.

Can you save lettuce seed?

Storing Lettuce Seeds If you’d like to store your seeds for later use, leave them in the paper sack for a few weeks to absorb any moisture. Once your seeds (and chaff) are completely dry, put them in a ziplock bag or airtight container and store in a cool, dry location.

Does lettuce need full sun?

Although lettuce grows fastest in full sun, it is one of the few vegetables that tolerates some shade. In fact, a spring crop often lasts longer if shaded from the afternoon sun as the season warms. Give lettuce fertile, well-drained, moist soil with plenty of rich organic matter and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Does lettuce grow back every year?

Yes, lettuce leaves will grow back after cutting but only if proper care and technique are used when cutting as all vegetable lettuce follow similar annual vegetable growth cycles.

Do you soak lettuce seeds before planting?

Sprouting Lettuce In Warm Weather In warmer temperatures, imbibing or soaking the seeds in water for at least 16 hours before planting in a well-lit area will increase the germination percentages greatly.

Can you still eat lettuce after it bolts?

Bolted lettuce can still be harvested and eaten, although the leaves will taste unpalatable and bitter if they are left on the plant too long, so it is best to pick the leaves as soon as possible after lettuce bolting and remove the plant entirely once all the edible leaves are removed.

How long does it take Cos lettuce to grow?

Leaf lettuce can be cut as soon as it is large enough to use, usually in 50 to 60 days from planting. Cutting every other plant at the ground will give remaining plants more space for growth. At maturity (typically 70-75 days), the leaves can reach heights of 10″ or so, with a dark outer coloring and white heart lower down the head.

How often do you need to collect lettuce seeds?

However, I always recommend collecting lettuce seeds every 1-2 years in order to keep your stash fresh. That will give you the best results. It’s easy to find a variety of lettuce seeds for sale at your local garden center, or big box store in the later winter or early spring.

How can I Save my Lettuce seed heads?

The steps on how to save lettuce seeds could not be any easier. You need to first look for the seed heads to form. There will be a long stalk that will extend up from the plant. It will start to flower after it has formed. The flower heads will soon start to form white fluffy chaff much like you see dandelion flowers.

What’s the best way to winnow Cos lettuce?

Winnowing is difficult because seeds and chaff are about the same size and weight. For extra cleaning use reverse screening, with a smaller mesh that retains the seed but lets small pieces or chaff and plume through. The dust produced during cleaning causes irritation to the lungs and eyes.