How to Prep Lettuce Seeds for Planting

Lettuce can be easily grown from gathered seeds.

Lettuce seeds are very small and fine, but even novice gardeners can grow lettuce from seeds to full heads. Lettuce seeds are simple to grow, but they can be a little delicate, and if you are gathering your own, there are a few things that you need to consider. Gathering lettuce seeds and preparing them for planting is an essential part of growing lettuce in your garden.

Things You'll Need

• Lettuce plants
• Knife
• Bucket
• Ceramic plate
• Resealable plastic container

Instructions

1. Choose two or three lettuce plants that you want to get seeds from. Choose lettuce plants that are healthy and sturdy.

2. Wait two weeks after the lettuce plants have flowered. It will take about this amount of time for the lettuce seeds to ripen.

3. Cut the lettuce plant away from the ground at the base using a knife.

4. Place the lettuce plant head down into a bucket.

5. Shake and rub the plant to remove the seeds. Chaff and seeds should fall into the bucket.

6. Pour the seeds into a sieve.

7. Shake the sieve to separate the seeds and the chaff, with the chaff rising to the top.

8. Pick the chaff off of the seeds.

9. Dry the lettuce seeds by spreading them on a ceramic plate for about a day. If they still feel damp, continue to air dry them.

10. Place the dry seed into a resealable plastic container and seal them in.

11. Store the seeds in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant them.

Tips & Warnings

• Lettuce seeds remain viable for up to three years provided they are stored correctly.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Lettuce
• The Garden of Eaden: How to Collect and Prepare Lettuce Seeds for Propagation