Autumn lettuce planting time and method cultivation and management technology

Autumn lettuce planting time

Lettuce is generally planted in spring and autumn, but in some places with mild weather, it can also be planted all year round. Autumn sowing generally lasts from mid-August to October, and the harvest time is from mid-November to February of the following early spring.

Planting methods and key points of autumn lettuce

1. Seed treatment

Lettuce is a cold-resistant vegetable with poor resistance to high temperatures. Therefore, when planted in May-September, the seeds are not easy to germinate and need to be germinated. First, soak them in diluted nutrient solution for 6-7 hours, take them out and put them in wet gauze. Keep the temperature at minus 3-5℃. After freezing for 24 hours, move them to a cool place and wait for 2-3 days for them to germinate.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

The root system of lettuce is relatively weak, so it is usually planted in loose soil with strong water and fertilizer retention capacity. In order to improve fertility, sufficient base fertilizer should be applied. Usually 1.5-3 tons of decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied per acre. After that, deep plowing should be carried out, the soil should be leveled and covered with film.

3. Sowing and seedling raising

Lettuce seeds are relatively small. They need to be mixed evenly with fine soil and then scattered in the nursery field. Then they should be covered with soil and film. If the temperature is relatively high in autumn, it is necessary to use a shade net or a small arch shed for shade, and ventilation should be carried out after the seedlings emerge.

Precautions for planting autumn lettuce

When the autumn lettuce seedlings grow 4-5 true leaves, thinning is necessary. Topdressing should be carried out in time during the seedling period, especially nitrogen fertilizer, which can effectively promote the expansion of leaf area. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizer should be applied during the periods of seedling growth, plant clumping, and stem swelling. Of course, during the stem swelling period, some potassium fertilizer should also be added in an appropriate amount.