Lettuce love being grown in raised beds because the open soil structure is ideal for them. They also are not particularly picky about feeding as long as minimal feeds are given. But for good lettuces to grow, they need a lot of water and a spot that keeps them out of direct sunlight from early May on. Lettuce grow best in cool well-watered situations.
Lettuce is one of my favorite vegetables to grow in my backyard garden. The fast-growing greens provide a steady supply of tasty, nutrient-dense leaves that can be harvested again and again. Growing lettuce in raised beds makes the process even easier and more productive.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about planting lettuce in raised garden beds. We’ll cover soil preparation, lettuce varieties, planting techniques, care and maintenance, pest control, and harvesting. Follow these tips for a successful lettuce crop right in your own raised beds!
Why Grow Lettuce in Raised Beds?
Raised beds provide the ideal environment for growing tasty lettuce. Here are some key advantages
- Improved drainage and aeration since the soil is elevated above the ground
- Warmer soil in spring allows for earlier planting and extended harvests
- Convenient access without bending down
- Better control over soil quality by filling with ideal growing mix
- Reduced pests like slugs and snails that thrive at ground level
The improved growing conditions lettuce enjoys in raised beds leads to faster growth, higher yields, and healthier plants.
Preparing the Raised Bed Soil
Lettuce thrives in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil Here’s how to get your raised bed ready
-
Fill the bed with a mixture of equal parts compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. The compost provides nutrients while the peat moss and vermiculite help retain moisture and ensure adequate drainage.
-
Test the soil pH, aiming for a level between 6.0-7.0. Lettuce prefers neutral to slightly acidic conditions. Add lime if the soil is too acidic or sulfur if it’s too alkaline.
-
Work in 1-2 inches of compost before each growing season to replenish nutrients. An organic fertilizer like fish emulsion or bone meal also provides a nourishing boost.
-
Lettuces have shallow roots so the soil only needs to be prepared to a depth of 4-6 inches.
Proper soil prep sets the stage for your lettuce to thrive!
Choosing the Best Lettuce Varieties
One of the joys of growing lettuce is that you can harvest so many different types. Consider planting a mix of lettuce varieties:
Looseleaf – Fast growing with tender, loosely arranged leaves perfect for salads. Red Sails and Black-Seeded Simpson are popular choices.
Romaine – Upright heads with crisp, elongated leaves. Grow Green Forest or Tall Guzmaine for excellent romaine flavor.
Butterhead – Loose, soft-textured heads with a delicate, sweet flavor. Opt for Tom Thumb or Bibb for a buttery taste and texture.
Crisphead – Crunchy, dense heads with crisp leaves. Iceberg types like Ithaca and Calmar are slow bolting.
Mesclun – Blends like spicy mixes that add unique flavors.
Match lettuce varieties to your climate and the time of year you want to harvest. Heat and bolt-resistant types are great for summer plantings while cold-hardy varieties extend the season into fall and winter.
How to Plant Lettuce Seeds in Raised Beds
One of the easiest ways to grow lettuce is by sowing seeds directly in the raised bed. Here’s how:
When to Plant
- Spring crops – Sow 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost date
- Fall crops – Plant 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost
Spacing
- Leave 6-12 inches between plants depending on variety. This prevents overcrowding.
Planting Depth
- Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in moist soil. Gently cover seeds and firm the soil lightly.
Germination
- Keep soil moist. Most seeds germinate in 5-7 days in temperatures between 45-75°F.
Thinning
- Thin overcrowded seedlings, leaving the strongest plants. Thin butterhead and romaine types to 8-12 inches apart.
Follow these simple steps for direct-sown lettuce that’s ready to start picking in no time!
Caring for Lettuce in Raised Beds
Lettuce grows quickly but needs a little care along the way to support healthy plants:
Watering
- Consistent moisture is key. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Provide around 1-1 1⁄2 inches per week.
Weeding
- Stay on top of weeds that compete for water and nutrients. Carefully hand pull weeds around lettuce plants.
Fertilizing
- Use an organic fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 weeks to feed plants.
Pest Control
- Floating row covers prevent pests. Pick off slugs and snails by hand. Use insecticidal soap sprays if infestations occur.
Bolting Prevention
- Ensure consistent moisture and avoid letting plants get too large. Variety selection is also key to prevent premature bolting.
Proper care keeps your lettuce growing strong in raised beds!
Harvesting Lettuce from Raised Beds
One of the best parts of growing lettuce in raised beds is getting to enjoy fresh-picked greens. Follow these tips:
When to Harvest
-
Baby greens – Begin harvesting leaves when they reach 3-4 inches, just 20-30 days after sowing. This encourages new growth.
-
Full heads – Allow heads to grow to maturity, checking for firmness to determine ripeness. This takes 50-80 days depending on variety.
How to Harvest
-
Use a sharp knife, pruning shears, or kitchen scissors to cut leaves 1 inch above the soil line. Harvest from outer leaves first.
-
Gently wash and thoroughly dry leaves after picking for maximum freshness.
-
Pick in early morning when leaves are crisp. Harvest frequently, every 7-10 days.
With proper harvesting techniques, a raised bed of lettuce can provide a steady supply all season long.
Troubleshooting Common Lettuce Problems
Like any garden veggie, lettuce can encounter a few issues. Here are some potential problems and solutions:
Leggy seedlings – Caused by insufficient light. Thin plants to allow more sunlight to reach.
Tipburn – Results from inconsistent watering. Keep soil moisture steady.
Bolting – Triggered by heat, drought, age. Control by variety selection and optimal growing conditions.
Pests/Diseases – Prevent with row covers, crop rotation, removal of diseased plants.
Poor germination – Could indicate old seeds or improper planting depth. Re-sow fresh seeds at proper depth.
With attentive care and prevention, you can avoid most problems when growing lettuce in raised beds.
Enjoying the Lettuce Harvest
I love being able to walk out to my raised beds and harvest fresh lettuce for salads or sandwiches. The leaves stay crisp and flavorful when cut right before eating. Some favorite ways to enjoy:
-
Salad mixes – Create custom lettuce blends with various textures and flavors.
-
Wraps and sandwiches – Romaine, butterhead, and crisphead all make great additions.
-
Juicing and smoothies – Add nutrition with lettuce blended with fruits and veggies.
-
Pickling lettuce stems – The crunchy ribs and stems pickle beautifully.
WHEN TO SOW LETTUCE RAISED BEDS / CONTAINERS
Start planting lettuce in raised beds or containers at the end of March or beginning of April in cooler places. Should you plant all of your lettuce seeds at once, you will have a bumper crop with too much lettuce for ten days and then nothing. Instead, sow a few seeds each week so that they don’t all mature at the same time. You can continue to sow lettuce up until mid August but see our advice in the next section.
When you’re done picking the lettuce, pack down the soil where it was and plant some more lettuce seeds where it was. Doing this you can get two or three crops of lettuce from the same area within a season. A very economical use of valuable space.
VARIETIES OF LETTUCE RAISED BED AND CONTAINERS
Taste and space are the keywords when selecting lettuce varieties for growing in a raised bed / container. You want the maximum crop with good taste (and sometimes colour) in the smallest amount of space.
The seed catalogues list a huge variety of lettuce seeds and the choice can be almost overwhelming. Which type of lettuce you grow in your raised bed or container is up to you, but we strongly advise that you grow a compact, small type.
Our recommendations are Little Gem and Lobjoits Green (both cos type lettuce) and Tom Thumb. All have good taste and are compact growing lettuce.
How to Grow Lettuce // Seed to Harvest // Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
How far apart do you plant lettuce in a raised bed?
What lettuce grows well in raised beds?
What not to plant near lettuce?