Lettuce: growing in soil
Many people know about the benefits and piquant taste of the salad, so it is a frequent visitor to the garden. The most common greens in our diet is lettuce. There are several varieties, including lettuce, lettuce, loose and roman lettuce. They differ from each other in color, taste, aroma, as well as growing conditions.
Types and varieties of lettuce
Lettuce gets its name from the white liquid that appears when the stem or roots are cut. The classic leafy appearance is characterized by a light green heart and smooth green leaves with a glossy surface. Moskovsky and Rizhsky are the most popular varieties of this type.
The cultivation and taste of lettuce differ depending on the variety and type.
There is also a known head lettuce, which immediately releases leaves and then forms a head of cabbage. A plant with oval leaves collected in a head of cabbage is called “Roman”.
Lettuce is an early maturing annual taproot plant. The color and shape of the leaves depends on the variety.
It is used as a useful addition to salads, sandwiches and other dishes. The salad has a special piquant taste and fresh aroma. It improves digestion, has a beneficial effect on metabolic functions, improves appetite. Mainly the leaves are eaten, sometimes the head of cabbage and the stem. It is worth noting that the leaves retain their taste only until the stem ripens, after which it is better to stop using the leaves.
Growing lettuce outdoors is most common, but greenhouses are sometimes used for this.
Features of cultivation and care
For planting green lettuce, it is advisable to choose an illuminated area, since the plant loves sunlight. For him, you need to provide a drained fertile sandy loam soil.
Excessive moisture will be superfluous – the roots will begin to rot. The best option is to water as the soil dries. It should be slightly damp, but not swampy.
Considering that the plant is frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 1-2 ° C, planting can be done in early spring or autumn. The leaves will be more juicy and tasty at a plant ripening temperature of up to 15-20 ° C.
In September, the soil is usually fertilized: 5–6 kg of overripe manure or humus is suitable for this. Lettuce will not grow on too oxidized soils, so they need to be limed. For 1 sq. m you also need to add about 70 g of nitrophosphate
It is important to clear and level the ground before planting. Usually, the plant is planted in rows in pits with a diameter of 0,5 cm. After the emergence of seedlings, it is important to thin out the plant, and carry out the second procedure after 2 weeks.
There are no special care requirements. The plant must be regularly and moderately watered, loosened up the soil and get rid of weeds.
Lettuce is a very healthy vegetable that you can easily grow in your garden. To do this, you need very little: well-prepared soil, a small amount of sunlight and minimal maintenance.