From sowing to harvest

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Where does salad feel most comfortable?

For healthy growth, lettuce needs a sunny to partially shaded location. It should not be planted in the deep shade. While it should be sunny and moderately warm on the surface, the soil should be composed as follows:

  • relaxed
  • humus
  • keep moist
  • slightly loamy
  • well ventilated

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Which are the good and which are the bad neighbors?

Lettuce goes well with many plants. Bush beans, carrots, radishes, cabbage, dill, peas, strawberries, tomatoes, onions and kohlrabi are particularly good neighbors. On the other hand, he cannot make friends with parsley and celery.

How does the sowing work?

Basically, lettuce can be sown from March to August. planted will. However, the concrete recommended sowing date differs depending on the selected variety:

  • Lamb's lettuce: August to September or from April
  • Iceberg lettuce: May to August
  • Lettuce: March to April
  • hardy lettuce: August to September
  • Endive salad: June to July

As a rule, the lettuce seeds are sown 0.5 to 1 cm deep into the ground. To germinate successfully, they need an ambient temperature between 10 and 16 ° C. The first cotyledons are visible after 10 to 14 days.

Alternatively, salad can also be served in front of or in Cold frame to be sown. Lettuce should only get into the unprotected open field after the last severe frost. To be able to harvest lettuce throughout the season, it is advisable to re-sow it every two to four weeks.

Are there any special maintenance measures?

Salad is undemanding and easy to care for. He does not need a subsequent application of fertilizer. It is enough to use the plants regularly and evenly To supply water. It is also advisable to check that everything is in order from time to time and to remove voracious snails from the lettuce leaves.

What do you have to consider when harvesting?

the Salad season lasts from spring to winter. Depending on the type and variety, it ripens at different times. So there is, for example Lettuce varietiesthat are to be harvested in summer and those that are to be harvested in the cold season.

When harvesting heads of lettuce, the plant and its stem should be cut off above the ground. But be careful: lettuce should not be harvested during or after flowering. Then the leaves are hard, bitter and significantly richer in nitrates.

Tips & Tricks

Due to its high health value, salad is not only an enrichment for people on their menu. Animals such as dogs also experience new sensory experiences with salads in their menu.