Lettuce is a cool - season crop that prosper in Colorado ’s wide-ranging climates . To read when to establish lettuce in Colorado , you need to consider the state ’s diverse USDA hardiness zone . This article will provide an in - depth guide on when to set out ejaculate , when to implant outdoors , and when to harvest dough across Colorado ’s hardiness zone , which stray from 3a to 7a .
Understanding Colorado’s Hardiness Zones
Colorado spans a wide compass of USDA Hardiness Zones from 3a to 7a :
Starting Seeds Indoors
embark on lettuce semen indoors can help you get a forefront bulge on the uprise time of year and protect immature plants from late icing .
In Zone 3a , you could lead off starting seed indoors around 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected bound frost , typically in former April .
For Zones 4a to 5b , seed can be started indoors slimly before , normally in late March to early April .
In the warm Zones 6a and 7a , you may typically begin indoor seed starting in mid to later March .
Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deeply in a eminent - tone germ - start mixing . Keep the soil consistently moist . Ideally , the temperature should be around 60 - 70 degree Fahrenheit ( 15 - 21 degrees Anders Celsius ) . Once sprouted , provide the seedlings with plenty of brightness level .
When to Plant Lettuce in Colorado
graft your seedlings or sow your source right away into your garden once the danger of a severe frost has clear and soil temperatures have warmed .
Choose a garden region with ripe sunlight , but also some protection from vivid midday sun . Space your cabbage plant about 8 to 12 inches aside . The dirt should be kept systematically moist , and mulching can help keep back soil wet and mastery pot .
Succession Planting Lettuce in Colorado
Succession planting with lettuce involves sow little batches of seeds at unconstipated intervals to ensure a uninterrupted harvest time throughout the growing time of year . This method allow you to savour a steady supply of fresh lettuce without experiencing a surplus or shortage all at once . Here ’s a dance step - by - gradation guide on how to do succession planting with lettuce :
By travel along this succession planting method , you’re able to enjoy a uninterrupted provision of novel dinero throughout the grow season , ensuring a unfaltering harvest of this delicious and nutritious leafy green .
When to Harvest Lettuce in Colorado
Lettuce can be harvested at many phase of its growth . For leaf lettuce , you’re able to begin harvest when the leave-taking are gravid enough to rust , usually around 4 - 5 weeks after planting . you may either pick item-by-item parting or burn the entire plant at the base , which may further a 2d growth .
For oral sex lettuce variety like iceberg or cos , harvesting usually occurs around 60 to 70 Day after plant when the heads have form and palpate firm .
Remember that eminent temperature can have lettuce to thunderbolt , or go to cum , which results in sulphurous leaves . To avoid this , reap your lettuce during the cooler part of the day and increase your harvesting frequency as temperatures climb .
