Celebrate National Lettuce Month: Grow Your Own Crisp, Fresh Greens
April 15, 2025 – By UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County, Lorri MacDonald - Did you know that lettuce was first 
cultivated by the ancient Egyptians between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago? Today, this leafy green remains a staple in gardens and kitchens alike. May is National Lettuce Month, making it the perfect time to explore the many varieties of lettuce, the benefits of growing your own, and expert tips for success in our local climate.
There are numerous varieties of lettuce, each with its unique characteristics. From the nutrient-rich Romaine, to the soft and tender Butterhead (Bibb/Boston) lettuces, to the loose-leaf variety, which is the easiest to grow, fast-maturing, and can be harvested as needed, to the Oakleaf and specialty greens, which offer unique textures and colors, to the Crisphead, which gained popularity in the early 1900s when California growers discovered that these heads could be stored and transported across the country by being covered in crushed ice and then became known as “Iceberg”. Today, the majority of lettuce sold in the United States is cultivated here in California.
Lettuce is an easy-to-grow cool-season crop which, for the cost of a couple of packages of seeds, planted in succession could yield a plethora of tasty greens over many weeks. If you have never had homegrown lettuce, you are missing out on fresher, better-tasting lettuces without the preservatives and packaging of store-bought lettuce. Nutritionally, lettuces, especially the deep green and red leaves, are packed with antioxidants, Vitamin A, K and folate. A single leaf of Romaine lettuce can provide 17% of the DRV of vitamin A.
Seeds can be directly sown in the garden when the ground warms up in Spring or when the temperatures cool in Fall. Successive sowings every 10 days will yield a steady supply of greens. Some of the growing requirements for lettuce: require 60 to 80 days with daytime temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, nighttime lows 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit; 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day with protection from the hottest afternoon rays; frequent shallow watering and adequate nitrogen in the form of fertilizer in the area of its shallow root system. All forms of lettuce grow well in a variety of fine texture soils but generally speaking early season growing favors sandy leaning soils, while mid-late season favors clay leaning soils. Lettuce is a space-efficient crop and lends itself to container planting or interplanting with corn, tomatoes or carrots which can provide some shading and prolong the onset of bolting. Protect your crop from predators by placing a metal screen of wire around tender plants and fight off insects by rinsing off and/or using food grade insecticidal soap. There are so many varieties of lettuce available to gardeners that there is sure to be a lettuce for every taste and garden situation.
Whether you are a seasoned Gardener or just starting out, growing lettuce is an easy and rewarding way to celebrate National Lettuce Month. Happy growing!
UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County are located in Mariposa at 5009 Fairgrounds Rd. Visit our website at https://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener, Facebook - UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County or Instagram - ucmariposamg for more gardening information and events. UC Master Gardeners staff a Helpline serving Mariposa County, including Greeley Hill, Coulterville, and Lake Don Pedro (209) 966-7078 or mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu).
