Butternut lettuce is prized for its soft, tender leaves and sweet flavor.
"Butterhead" is the general lettuce category (which includes types like Boston and Bibb). Butthernut and Buttercrunch are popular varieties of Buttherhead lettuce and a great choice for Colorado gardens because they are more heat-tolerant.
Now is a great time to plant butternut lettuce, because it performs best in cooler weather.
Plant seeds now, and you'll have lettuce in a couple of months (baby leaves cfan be harvested in 30 days). The seeds need light to germinate, so press them only slightly into the soil.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden (some afternoon shade is ok), and sow seeds directly into loose, fertile soil that is rich in compost. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and thin seedlings to about 8–10 inches apart so heads have room to develop.
For the best flavor and texture, provide steady moisture and protect plants from extreme heat, which can cause bolting and bitterness. A layer of mulch helps keep roots cool and conserves moisture.
Nitrogen-rich fertilizer encourages quality leafy growth.
You can harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head once it becomes full and firm. Succession planting every couple of weeks will give you a continuous supply of crisp, buttery lettuce throughout the cool growing season.
Now is a great time to plant butternut lettuce, because it performs best in cooler weather.
Plant seeds now, and you'll have lettuce in a couple of months (baby leaves cfan be harvested in 30 days). The seeds need light to germinate, so press them only slightly into the soil.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden (some afternoon shade is ok), and sow seeds directly into loose, fertile soil that is rich in compost. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, and thin seedlings to about 8–10 inches apart so heads have room to develop.
For the best flavor and texture, provide steady moisture and protect plants from extreme heat, which can cause bolting and bitterness. A layer of mulch helps keep roots cool and conserves moisture.
Nitrogen-rich fertilizer encourages quality leafy growth.
You can harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head once it becomes full and firm. Succession planting every couple of weeks will give you a continuous supply of crisp, buttery lettuce throughout the cool growing season.