Growing Lettuce - The Definitive Guide For Beginners

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If you're just starting out gardening in 2021, this inexpensive set of tools from Amazon can get you and your Lettuce up and running this spring! I know there is a fevered and renewed interest in gardening and many of you are seasoned vets. But remember that there's a whole population out there that hasn't gardened before. Let's help them out and encourage as much as possible! Affiliate links below: Amazon USA: amzn.to/2xXLfbG​​​​ Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aoN1AN​​​​ Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2XrQA5A​​​​ The 10x20 nursery trays are a gardener's NECESSITY. Use the Amazon Affiliate links below to find the right ones! Amazon USA: amzn.to/2JFB4uM​​​​ Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2wQCeBd​​​​ Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2xepyEi​​​ Other essential gardening gear links: 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk​​​​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx​​​​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql​​​​​​​​ Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP​​​​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq​​​​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8​​​​​​​​ Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc​​​​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94​​​​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa​​​​​​​​ Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm​​​​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS​​​​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z​​​​​​​​ Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx​​​​​​​​ Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t​​​​​​​ Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU​​​

[@OSGCourtWatch]

Got to say that brown paper mulch layer is a hell of an idea. Plan to start a mixed vetch/legume/radish in all my raised bed & bags this sept as season winds down then chopping and covering with that paper and mulch before planting thru it in the spring is gonna be the cornerstone of my plan. See folks do it with plastic but hate that idea. Thx!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Exactly! All that plastic....I feel the same way! It really does work too. One extra barrier for weeds, and the planted crop has zero trouble sending its roots through...brilliant! :-)

[@matty332010]

You're getting very good at the editing, and thank you taking the time to get all those great angles. Must have taken awhile to make this video and then edit it. Love the channel, well done! Looking forward to the next one.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks buddy! You're so right. The editing is tricky when you're growing stuff because sometimes you're filming parts of the growing process 3-4 months in advance, then cataloguing it for use later. Just the raw footage for a typical video is about 100GB now that I shoot in 4K. Its crazy, thanks for noticing!!!! :-)

[@DarklightTarot]

I love your videos. My grandma used to scrape the ends like you showed. I have watched my grandma in her garden all my life, and I never knew that Rosemary grows their roots like that! Wow!

[@tompatchak8706]

Dude!! Love the cardboard ideas!! Those are great for keeping in the dirt too.

[@arndpelzer1227]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos and competent and interesting topics and proceedures.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Arnd, thanks for watching! :-)

[@johnmccoy2721]

OMG the pup is back boys!!!!! YEahhhhhhh :) thanks man great video.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks John!! Ha ha yeah, she's in almost every raw footage...here's me talking and always comes to check stuff out and be a nuisance. Its hilarious...gawd I love that thing though!

[@GardenIdeas01]

Wow your lettuce growing from seeds in raise bed very nice , they are fresh, organic vegetable in the home garden , thanks for sharing nice garden tips for beginners

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching! Lettuce is fast becoming one of my favorites!

[@GardenIdeas01]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thanks for reply, yes i like it so much

[@ethanm1580]

Great video, I've got some toilet paper plugs seeded and just waiting for them to sprout! I also followed your seeding soil mix "how to video". I really appreciate all the time and effort it takes for you to produce these videos. They are of great help and I refer to them regularly. Awesome channel. thanks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Ethan! Glad its helpful. What are you most excited about planting this year?

[@ethanm1580]

This year, it would be pole beans, we have always grown bush beans. The growth rate on those is amazing! I made up a 20 liter bucket of compost tea yesterday, (stirred it with a paint mixer attachment on a drill). The veggies are going to be happy! Cheers!

[@GardenIdeas01]

Good method to sprout seed with wet paper store in box , happy gardening

[@bluewolf4915]

More great tips. I'll be putting out around 8 different lettuce types this weekend in bags and p;ots.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Holy smokes Kevin...now THAT's a Lettuce Utopia! Right on man!

[@Jeff_PNW]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE homegrown lettuce! 😋 I've always direct sown myself because when I thin my rows I pull entire plants out with the roots intact, then transplant them elsewhere...wherever I've got room. Lettuce is very forgiving & doesn't seem to suffer from transplant shock like other plants. I actually just thinned my Tom Thumb lettuce this afternoon & plucked some leaves off my fava beans, going to have some delicious fresh salad with dinner tonight. 😊 Also, dogs are the best!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Transplanting the thinned plants?? Yesssss......! Now that I have to try! :-)

[@Jeff_PNW]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Haha, I even hacked all of the leaves off for my salad(which was delicious BTW), so my lettuce transplants are just roots...which I'm sure will grow because I've done this many times before. Sure, a few plants might not survive, but most of them will fight and produce more tasty lettuce in just a few weeks.

[@awhitefirefly]

love all the roughriders gear in every photo!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

:-)

[@sharongryphon8027]

I want to thank you for your fantastic videos. I have learned a lot watching you & your videos. Well done videos. Keep up the great job! I wish you lots of produce & success!

[@tompatchak8706]

I used packing/news paper a few times, so far it worked well

[@roxanadcortessoto6440]

Great video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Roxana!

[@rosewood513]

I love growing lettuce, I have it all year, some from my garden but some from My indoor Aero Garden. I feed my dogs lots of lettuce in their food. Very healthy for them. I live in the deep south and we tend to have two seasons. Winter and summer. It is already too hot for lettuce. My favorite is Red Sails, crunchy tasty and beautiful. I prefer cut and come again you can get so much more from one plant. Nice video, I belong to your Facebook group, nice folks. Thank you!!!

[@thimovijfschaft3271]

Arugula is my favorite type of lettuce. It can already be sowed in late winter of early spring, a lot of Italian recipes use it and it looks beautiful when it flowers

[@AGRIMOVIEemi]

Ottimo Video Tutorial 👍👍👍 Ottimo Canale 👍👍👍 👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers!

[@merrivoelker2531]

Your pupper just needed some daddy loving

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

The bird attack was epic..lol

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha almost flew into my noggin!!

[@sharonmotley1015]

Great video!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Sharon, appreciate the support! :-)

[@wedtokerhimrarib3123]

Thanks.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers!

[@martinamorgan1119]

I love this,,,

[@Avo7bProject]

Thumbs-up for the cardboard roll plugs... I have thrown away so many paper towel or toilet paper roll centers over time, and thought "There ought-ta be another use for this, but I'm not sure what it would be."

[@cheerleaderOFkhs]

Hi there!!! I’m new to the Garden Gang and I was wondering if I can use just miracle grow moisture control soil I’ve had it for just abt a year in the garage? Or if I should get soils specifically for vegetables and fruits? And are you able to grow lettuce/vegetables in pots outside instead of the ground? If so do I follow the same steps as far as getting/putting the mulch on top after planting and soil? Thank you so much for these videos!!! BY FAR THE BEST REFERENCE videos!!!! They are awesome and very simple,short and easy to go go long with!!! I also wanted to know when I should ❤I feed my vegetables what should I use. I don’t want to spend a fortune on these things but I also don’t want to have a unsuccessful plant lol

[@aeastman59]

what was that a bird?!!! so funny!! Jeff I got leaf miner pretty bad last year in my chard and Im wondering how I can head it off this year as I plant my lettuce and other leafy greens?

[@jsbadger]

What is the lettuce at the 3:30 mark??? I'd definitely like to sow that!

[@waynesell3681]

What is the straw your mulching with? Comes from a bag, what are you using?

[@ChrisJCarter]

Great vid! I'm going to sow mesclun seeds right now. My spinach plants have damaged leaves due to the hot weather. I didn't move them into the shade when it was too hot....my bad!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Chris! Yeah, spinach is even more temperamental than lettuce sometimes..sigh. Best of luck with the new sowing though!

[@thimovijfschaft3271]

Spinach also doesn't like being moved

[@OakKnobFarm]

Oh no! Bird Attack!!! LOL

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha right in the head!! I was like WTF? LOL

[@shanewest7731]

Brilliant video, thanks again. I've grown 50 lettuce on a shelf system to use as a "Cut & come again crop" Should be enough for a household of 5. Quick question Jeff. Have you ever grown Romanesco?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Shane! Wooaaa man, that's a lot of lettuce....LOVE IT!! Yes, Romanesco is actually pretty straightforward to grow if you've grown Cauliflower before. :-)

[@yusefameen5308]

After laying the recycle paper is there ever a point where you’d need to place holes in the paper and transplant directly into the bed?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I've done it both ways Yusef. Especially if its a hot day and you want to get the roots deeper, or you are planting tomatoes and you want to get them deep. Both ways work great.

[@markho5627]

One tip to save seeds and space: I grow a few lettuce in some 2 gallon pots. Harvest via cut and come again method. Like right now in SoCal, I let it bolt to flower and seeds because it's over 80 degrees everyday. Set it aside and save the seeds later. It's really not to save money, but mainly to guarantee that the seeds are organic.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Very awesome Mark...love saving seeds!!!

[@Redhotshawntexas]

Just about all seeds available to the average consumer are non-GMO. GMO seed is almost exclusively sold via contract to large scale growers and farmers

[@Doyouevenliftjpg]

Any advice on dealing with slugs? My raised bed is barely a foot off the ground so I think I may have problems when I transplant my lettuce out.

[@nabeelantoine7011]

I live in Boston. Do you think it’s a good idea to buy a couple bags of caw manure and leave it some where outside and used next year (just to make sure it’s ready to use)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Never a bad idea Nabeel to let animal manures age a bit....even mix it with grass clippings, fall leaves, etc.

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

So I planted some lettuce seeds in my greenhouse. Tiny baby sticks came out and they resemble clovers right now. But they don't seem to get bigger, or I am simply too impatient, lol When I look at your beautiful lettuce, I so want to grab my salad bowl!🤣 Thanks again for such an informative video!! Btw I have no idea what city you are in, but I hope I can still join your fb group 🙂

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yeah, those first two leaves aren't real leaves (they are called Cotyledons).....they need heat and light to truly sprout into the real plant. After that, cool them down, but give plenty of light. And at no point, should they be over watered! Best of luck! :-)

[@Dragon-wl5ic]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks so much for the explanation. Well, I guess my experiment failed then...sigh My greenhouse is not heated and I planted them into my big gardenbeds in the greenhouse. So heat is not an option, as we are now in mid november. But it's ok, the real fun will start in spring and until then I will watch all your videos and learn about gardening!!🙂

[@alicepettit164]

inspired with this no-til method and you broke it down such that I think I will do it next year. Is it best for certain vegetables?Also what type cheap lighting can I use indoors for seedlings?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Alice! Really, it works for everything.... Even seeded crops like carrots and beets.... Less work, no weeds, and better soil life! For indoor growing, Mars Hydro and Spider Farms are a good start in the LED world...

[@alicepettit164]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks for super quick response.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@alicepettit164 cheers Alice!

[@k.p.1139]

Anything on growing lettuce indoors? It's usually to hot to grow it here, in Florida.

[@nicolehervieux1704]

Last year I ordered some lettuce seeds from Russia that has the most yummy flavour I ever had. It has a taste between hassle nuts and pecans, while being fresh as lettuce. So at the end of the summer I saved tones of seeds to make sure I could replant it this year. Now we were told that we have to move because the house was put for sale and sold. So I had to plant all of my seedlings in grow bags. Not ideal, but what could I do! Anyways, by the 24 th of June we will be move to our new place. Will it be to hot to plant laitue in container then? (we are in northeastern Ontario Canada). It is so hot right now this weekend we will have 30c weather... I never planted in grow bags before my tomatoes are growing over night, they are loving the heat... but in 29 days they will be tossed around in the moving truck, I hope they survive the ride ... everything is so much work and it cost a lot of money to start seedlings with lights and all... I just couldn’t get ride of all of this. Do you have any tips for me ? I planted tomatoes, peppers, arugula, a few containers of potatoes, green onions which are doing awesome and a whole bunch of herbs like mint, sage, oregano, parsley, coriander, basil, thyme lemon balm... the herbes might go back under the light in my kitchen, should I leave them out? I don’t know if I will have the room to do that. Will they die in the house under the light? if anyone has tips and tricks for growing in containers I would appreciate it . Thank you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Just hold off Nicole,.....plant further on to summer for a fall-ish harvest....and collect more seeds!! Don't lose that variety! :-)

[@ChemitasFishing]

I got bale alfalfa how good could that possibly be ?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Should be just fine as a mulch!

[@wendyburston3132]

I have a roll of brown paper from years ago, not sure if it's the type you mean. If water runs through it should it be ok?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Wendy, usually if its not glossy, its good to go. Water doesn't necessarily have to travel through it....but it should be absorbent and not water-proof.

[@GratefulMind24]

Can i plant lettuce in winter here in Australia? Thanks 😊❤️🪴

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

For sure....just have to find the varieties that work best for your specific region.

[@janetthompson1372]

Can you tell me where I can order the recycled paper for garden. Thanks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Janet, the brown paper is just recyclable kraft paper from the office supply stores. So like Staples or Office Depot. Make sure its not the glossy stuff! 🙂

[@brianbrown6455]

Does the roots break through the layer of paper?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Oh yes, quite easily!

[@VintageVibesHomestead]

Where is the best place to buy those rolls of brown paper? Also, would it be just as good to use those rolls of Enviro brand paper towel?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I find that the paper towel is a bit too weak and thin... The brown kraft paper is a good tradeoff between cardboard and then thinner papers. It'll break down and let the roots through... But it's not so weak that weeds will just sprout up anyways!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I get it at staples.... It's used as an environmentally friendly packing material. :-)

[@VintageVibesHomestead]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thanks so much for your reply, when I can’t sleep at 2am I watch gardening lol 😂 I will check out the brown paper instead! Cheers 👍

[@VintageVibesHomestead]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Good to know, Thank you 😁

[@tompatchak8706]

Bought transplants this year. I thought the wife and kids would love it, which they do. HOWEVER, we got hit some super hot weather. Yesterday the kids started grabbing pieces and it was bitter as heck. The kale I planted it with was good though. Can I bring those plants back, like cutting them down, or should I pull um and start over?

[@24101963gr]

Dear video watcher, It's a great video. Just one reminder, I would not personally use the paper towel rolls. I'm a ex paper professional and know how many chemicals are used to produce the rolls / glue etc. in earlier stages there was just starch and fibre used, but today when a lot of these products came from China I would not trust these products regarding the health. It's upon you. All the best!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Gunter, thanks.

[@Donna_G]

I planted Black Seeded Simpson lettuce about a week ago. It's supposed to be heat-tolerant. I'm the only one in my family who will even eat lettuce; so, I'll probably be giving a lot of it away. Today, I noticed that there were some seedlings. So, I should have lettuce to harvest in a month or so.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Donna, best of luck!!

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

Crowd that lettuce a bit, then cut and come again. I grow summer lettuce under grow lights so I can have it with tomatoes 😊

[@jennaolson6971]

My lettuce started coming up but now they are tiny little stems laying down on the soil! Can I fix this?

[@captaincook3693]

How can I do a no-dig garden when my soil has 1,000's of white curl grubs that eat the roots of everything I plant. I live in Australia

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's why no-dig is perfect. Bury them. Suffocate them out. Grow ON TOP of that layer.....instead of digging it up and spreading the grubs around even worse.

[@Jeff_PNW]

If your soil is infested you might want to try applying beneficial nematodes. They're basically microscopic worms that multiply in the soil over time & they literally hunt for grubs & other nasty bugs. Make sure you correctly identify the pests you want to eradicate as nematodes do come in different "flavors", i.e. if you get the wrong ones they won't solve your problem.

[@captaincook3693]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms if i don't dig them out they will just eat the roots of whatever i plant on top then in the spring time they will pupate into beetles and start mating and laying eggs again just beneath the soil then the lave will grow and start eating all the roots again

[@captaincook3693]

@@Jeff_PNW OK thanks

[@AllderHouse]

I top off with used coffee grounds mixed with fine crushed (or blender) eggshells. Had worked great so far.

[@jjspade81]

Can you make a video of iceberg lettuce growing?

[@markrodgers1965]

Playback speed at 0.25x @ 0:09 for maximum lawls

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Not the fastest reflexes.....especially in slo-mo! -_-

[@Mantras-and-Mystics]

So the lettuce roots grew through the brown paper? 🤔

[@bvskitchen1045]

👌

[@AlSween]

I heard some big birds the other day and I ran inside lol...

[@fah6601]

Thank you for doing this video! I'm looking to grow lettuce, but we're coming into winter here in Cape Town so I wasn't sure if I can grow it now But, after seeing this video, I can start them indoors until they've grown a bit and stabilized Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Grows great indoors! Same with spinach as well as Arugula too if you like that flavor! :-)

[@fah6601]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I just planted some baby spinach seeds with my potatoes last week and saw today that one of the seeds is growing!!

[@chinatownboy3368]

Lettuce grows huge with urea. I peed on my ex's salad greens all the time. Completely organic.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yum. LOL

[@debbiej.2168]

Did somebody have a nest nearby?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Must have Debbie! Strange though, I'm in the garden for 12+ hours a day and never been attacked before, LOL!

[@igorkowalski2762]

Video on how to grow weed?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha.... In other words, "How To Get Demonized Fast"! Lol

[@SteveRoscoe-t2t]

Come on spring 2025 😊

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

We are ready! LOL

[@Mgamerz]

Would love to see one on spinach. I can't find any decent videos about it! I transplanted them and they really hated it.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

100% they hate it. I mainly grow it in the fall because it seems to like that warm germination....but then cool weather once it hits adulthood. I have an older Spinach video, but I'll be redoing it this fall. :-) : kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4q9YpRoiM91hdE

[@georgeviau4558]

...zeus has adopted you god of tomatoes...

[@georgeviau4558]

...what you are teaching is a true work of art "that never gets old".. i'm into spouting organic seed...year round harvest...one week from soak to sandwhich OR SOUP...PEAS PLEASE..epic, endless supply of PURE FOOD...

[@georgeviau4558]

...LETTUCE PLAY...

[@georgeviau4558]

...have you ever been to the amazon tomatio...save the whales...save the earth for your children's, children's, children's, children's dreams...

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks George!! Happy growing man!

[@georgeviau4558]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms ...you aaaaaaaaaaaare the rock tomato...

[@IgorU]

Me: commenting to trick the algorithm Algorithm: that's against the law

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I'll take anything at this point! :-)

[@hotsweetlady20011]

lmaoooo i saw that

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha!

[@jussikankinen9409]

Seeds better than buying from gardeners, save everything dont mean money

[@fillfinish7302]

Like for the bird attack .

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

LOL right? Went straight for my head!

[@jimmcdowell9017]

No reason to chance buying unsafe lettuce at the market, as easy as you present it to grow your own. Safer,healthier, and much cheaper to buy!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So true Jim! I hope to never have to buy it again! Cheers man. :-)

[@liamgrows]

What time did this happen I was in bed

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

No worries buddy, catch you next time!