How to Propagate Bibb Lettuce
Enjoy fresh Bibb lettuce in early spring by propagating seeds. Unlike some vegetables commonly found in home gardens, Bibb lettuce tolerates colder temperatures. High in fiber and vitamins K, A, B and C, Bibb lettuce has a loose head with a sweeter flavor than iceberg lettuce. Because propagating Bibb lettuce seeds requires little effort, gardeners can produce an abundant source of this crisp, healthy and refreshing vegetable. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bibb lettuce seeds, bolt resistant
- Rotary tiller
- Humus
- Black plastic
- 3-inch peat containers, 5 or 6
- Plastic tray
- Sand
- Vermiculite
- Potting soil
- Garden spade
- Straw
- Liquid fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Obtain a packet of bolt-resistant Bibb lettuce seeds from an organic seed supplier or local garden retailer. Bolt-resistant Bibb lettuce seeds will have the letter "B" labeled on the seed packet.
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2
Aerate and loosen the ground 12 inches deep where the Bibb lettuce will grow, using a rotary tiller. Remove rocks and weeds in the area. Spread a 6-inch layer of humus on the loose soil, and run the rotary tiller over the area.
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3
Cover the prepared lettuce bed with black plastic to accelerate the soil's heat retention. Keep the soil covered until the lettuce seedlings are transferred outdoors.
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4
Return indoors and begin sowing the Bibb lettuce seeds. It is ideal to begin sowing in February to give the lettuce a head start. Place five to six 3-inch peat containers on top of a plastic tray. Add more peat containers according to you or your family's consumption needs.
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Fill each container with equal parts sand, vermiculite and potting soil. Spray the top of the soil with water until it is slightly wet. Grab the lettuce seeds from the seed packet. Place two evenly spaced lettuce seeds on top of the soil mixture in each container. Sprinkle the lettuce seeds with ¼-inch of soil to cover. Spray the soil again with water until damp.
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Press down on the soil within each peat container to push the soil and seeds together for optimal seed to soil contact. Move the tray to a windowsill that receives six or more hours of sunlight. Keep the soil moist during the entire germination period.
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Place the Bibb lettuce seedlings outdoors for two to four hours each day, 10 days before the outdoor transplant. The ideal temperature range for growing Bibb lettuce is 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Thin the Bibb lettuce seedlings when they are 2 inches tall. Grab the weakest lettuce seedling from each peat container, and use your thumb and forefinger to pinch them off even with the soil line.
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Remove the black plastic that covers the prepared lettuce bed when the temperature remains above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Dig the holes that the lettuce seedlings will grow in, using a garden spade. Space the holes 12 inches apart, and dig them 3 inches deep and 3 inches wide.
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10
Place one Bibb lettuce seedling into one of the dug holes, keeping the seedling in the peat container. Pack the soil around the seedling by hand. Repeat planting the Bibb lettuce for the remaining seedlings.
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Spread a 3-inch layer of straw around each lettuce seedling to keep nutrient-sucking weeds away. Water each Bibb lettuce every two days to keep the ground moist.
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Fill a watering can with 1 qt. of water. Add 1 tbsp. of liquid fertilizer to the watering can. Give each lettuce at least 1/2 cup of mixture.
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Tips & Warnings
Begin the lettuce's soil preparation in February so the humus has enough time to add organic matter into the soil while the Bibb seeds are germinating indoors.
References
- United States Department of Argriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service: Organic Matter in Soil
- Gardens Ablaze: Lettuce
- University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Lettuce; Jon Traunfeld, et al.
- North Carolina State University Horticulture Information Leaflets; Home Garden Lettuce; Douglas C. Sanders
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
