Start romaine from seed indoors for outdoor growing

11 years ago

I usually buy my lettuce starts from the local garden center, but this year I would like to grow my own from seed. I live in zone 8. When should I start my seeds inside for spring plant-out? I usually put my peppers and such outside last week of may, and lettuce about week before that.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Comments (4)

flora_uk
11 years ago
I find a fortnight ahead of planting out is plenty. Plus four to five days for hardening off. So roughly 3 weeks altogether from sowing to transplanting outside. I grow in small pinches in modules and do not pot on. No heat and no lights. (I grow them in a glass porch). Lettuce tolerates pulling apart of several seedlings from a clump. I don't mind if some get a better start than others because I don't want them all ready at once anyway.
digdirt2
11 years ago
Good info from Flora. I'm a bit surprised that you are planting out so late in your zone 8 though. That is almost a month after my plant-out in my zone. Are you at a high altitude? When is your last frost date?

And the leafy greens can almost always go out weeks before tomatoes and peppers do.

Dave
rkslander
Original Author
11 years ago
I'm only at 450 feet. Last frost average in my area is May 10. I am going to try and put out lettuce earlier this year.
digdirt2
11 years ago
Last frost average in my area is May 10.

How weird. The last frost date for most of zone 8 is March 15th. Mine is April 15th and that is at 1000' elevation.

Granted those are just averages but I wonder why yours is so late? You might want to investigate that more with your local county ag extension office. Many state extension websites offer specific locale LFDs.

Dave