Iceberg lettuce
is useful in low-calorie recipes.
Iceberg lettuce is a type of crisphead lettuce, according to the University of Illinois Extension. The entire head of lettuce is harvested at once, unlike leaf lettuce, whose leaves can be harvested as needed. The leaves are pale green and crisp with a light, fresh flavor. This type of lettuce is the most common in supermarkets. Iceberg lettuce will not grow well in the heat of summer and must be harvested before summer.
Transplants
Start seeds indoors in late winter. Seeds should be started in flats, the soil should be kept moist with a regular misting, and the seedlings should have access to plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. When the seedlings are about 1 to 2 inches tall, thin them so the biggest, strongest seedlings remain. Plant spring transplants in a cold frame when they're about 6 inches tall and space them 10 to 12 inches apart. Late summer plantings can be done in the garden to mature for fall harvesting. If you suspect that the weather is still too hot, give them access to a shade for the hottest part of the day.
Growing Conditions
Iceberg lettuce will not grow or, if started, will fail in hot weather. The seeds will have to be started either indoors at the end of winter or planted outdoors at the end of summer to mature for the fall. The soil must be cool and the transplants will need some shade in order to survive into the heat of early summer, if they end up growing that long. The University of Maryland recommends slow-bolting varieties for this reason.
Soil
Incorporate at least 6 inches of compost into the planting bed before planting seeds or transplants. Compost not only provides nutrients, but it also aerates the soil and ensures proper drainage, both of which are very important to ensure that the heads develop without any problems, such as foliage rot.
Consistent Moisture
Consistent moisture is a must for successful cultivation of iceberg lettuce. Inconsistent moisture is one cause of tip burn in crisphead lettuces. Iceberg lettuce is one of the few plants that benefit from frequent, light irrigation, rather than deep, infrequent irrigation. According to the University of Illinois Extension, light, frequent irrigation causes the leaves to develop quicker, and the faster the lettuce grows the less chance it has of being ruined by heat.
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