Lettuce crop profile: sowing, temperatures, and harvest
OrtoClima crop rules for Lettuce.
Lettuce crop profile
Reference profile for starting lettuce, checking temperature thresholds, and estimating harvest timing.
Crop summary
- Starting method: direct sowing or transplanting
- Direct-sowing soil threshold: 2 C
- Transplant soil threshold: 2 C
- Night minimum: 2 C
- Frost buffer: -10 days
- Heat stop: 28 C
- Harvest range: 35-60 days
- Indoor lead: 28 days
How to start it
Lettuce can be started either by direct sowing or by transplanting. Direct sowing follows the soil threshold, while transplanting lets the first stage happen indoors.
For lettuce, start seedlings indoors about 28 days before transplanting.
Temperature thresholds
The operating thresholds are: direct-sowing soil at least 2 C; transplant soil at least 2 C; night minimum around 2 C.
The frost buffer allows considering starts up to 10 days before the cautious date, when the other thresholds are also met.
When maximum temperature exceeds 28 C, the window tends to close quickly.
Harvest timing
The estimated harvest for lettuce usually falls after 35-60 days; with transplants, the first stage can happen earlier.
This is a practical average: local climate, variety, exposure, and water management can move the first and last harvest dates.
Seasonal notes
- It can also work in autumn when local climate stays within the thresholds.
- The heat stop is relatively low, so late sowing can become risky in hot-summer areas.
- The negative frost buffer indicates a more cold-tolerant crop, as long as soil can be worked.
FAQ
How should lettuce be started?
The recommended starting method is direct sowing or transplanting. The main thresholds are direct-sowing soil 2 C, transplant soil 2 C, and night minimum 2 C.
How long is the lettuce cycle in the profile?
The indicative harvest range is 35-60 days. The local page can move these dates according to the municipality and climate.
What climate limits does lettuce have?
The frost buffer is -10 days and the heat stop is 28 C. These values describe the crop's general needs; municipality pages adapt them to local climate.
Does lettuce use indoor seed starting?
Yes. Start seedlings indoors about 28 days before transplanting.