How to Grow Head Lettuce in the Summer

Summer head lettuces present a fairly sizable income potential and, for many of us, a pretty sizable challenge. Growing head lettuces in the summer in the south is quite the adventure but in this video we break down how we are able to produce dozens of heads for every market all summer long.
This video was made possible in part through a grant from Southern SARE, and answers the following: How to grow lettuce in the heat, how to grow head lettuces, can you grow head lettuces in the heat, how to grow lettuce in the summer, how to keep lettuce from bolting in the summer, growing organic head lettuce.
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This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2020-38640-31521 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under project number LS21-348. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.” The goal with this grant is to provide context and technical detail for the four principles of soil health.

[@wendyperez8714]

I will have you know that my seven-year-old granddaughter thinks you are the most handsome man in the world, second only to her dad! When she comes over to help me in the garden, one of your KZbin videos is what we watch during our break. We are watching this one now and she is giddy. She also thinks your information is spot-on and will correct me when I'm not doing it the way "Jesse said". She decided she wants a hat. A Jesse hat. I told her she has earned her Jesse hat BUT she will also be required to read the Jesse book. Thank you for all you do.... I personally love your wit and your down-to-earth (no pun intended) approach on all things dirt.

[@kannmann97]

I’ve found from working in produce for about 10 years now that although lettuce may seem delicate to display in large piles, its often better. Bigger piles makes the lettuce have more thermal inertia. The outside heads protect the inside heads from any heat. So a huge pile not only attracts more people and is less work, but it can keep the majority of the displayed lettuces cooler

[@notillgrowers]

This is a good perspective, too. I agree that the freshest heads are always in the middle/bottom of said pile. If we're busy enough, a big pile is generally preferred for that reason. 👍

[@valeriecolvin6977]

Our boys always say, "Pile it high watch it fly!"

[@greenthumbgardens8650]

I germinate pelleted seed in my garage that has AC and temperature stays around 70-75 deg. Sometimes I will use my germination chamber (old fridge with crock pot) to germinate them if the garage temperature is not favorable. Once germinated I use led grow lights to get them to about 1-inch then transfer them to my propagation house outside to harden off for a few days and get to about 2-inches. I plant in a FF gothic high tunnel early morning 4-5 am into weed fabric with holes, water heavily, then cover with 30% shade cloth for 7-10 days. I find the weed fabric keeps the soil moist & cool vs direct planting into soil without it, especially in NC, zone 7B. The fabric also keeps the lower leaves cleaner & there's less rot (Ray Tyler method). I use drip irrigation with 6" o.c. emitters, 1-hr per day. I tried overhead last year and tends to rot the lettuce faster and keep the top leaves wet for a longer period, especially when we get into mid-summer in NC with high humidity. I tried the easy-cut varieties from Osborne last year and they did ok, but Salanova is hard to beat in the heat and it holds up well to cutting & handling when washing & bagging. It's easier to dry under fans and stays loftier in the bag. I have had customers go on vacation for a week or more and come back to say that their salad mix is as good as the day the purchased it from me. Drying before cooling in the fridge is the key to success on shelf life.

[@bakerbk3696]

Brilliant advice we’ll appreciated

[@ryanwillett728]

As a fellow NC grower, thanks!

[@brandisneed2388]

Thank you for this advice! First year growing in 8B. Challenging is an understatement. This was really helpful.

[@nnoble92]

Really glad I’m not the only farmer that wears crocs when I’m working..

[@yearofthegarden]

I appreciate you sharing the lettuce knowledge, i've been growing salad for over 12 years, back when I was a kid before salanova or the Jang seeder, salad was almost a guarded art, on dirty pieces of paper with people who would sprint down the row with the beet wheel earthway. I love looking at salad, it's such a satisfying crop and a great entry level crop for farmers as well as people who are not familiar with farmers markets or local food. After being on over six properties, i've finally learned how to grow lettuce hydroponically so I no longer have to relinquish my soil fertility everytime I move, and have the capacity to sell head lettuce with roots attached. This is a great move for my operation in particular, because I dont forsee myself leasing dirt lots anymore, and can then have an adaptive above ground system on any property available, as well as reduce kitchen infrastructure needs, and sink time that comes with growing baby leaf in dirt. Also because I've moved away from salad into mycology for niche adaptability reasons, because the more people who know how to grow salad, the less I can charge a premium and stay competitive with local restaurants. Salad is fun, and i've spent most of my adult life looking at it, but it really is just edible gatorade, yuppie grub. I hope that beans and peas becomes a core focus of small ag in the future as much as lettuce has, because it's actual food and will solve a lot of food problems by enabling people to grow more proteins in their region. Just discovered your content, enjoying it, taking notes because I want to move more towards educating people as well.

[@growshakephil]

This cold germination tip just exploded my brain. Even with super expensive seed like salanova, I’ve gotten 50% germination at best. Trying this now.

[@notillgrowers]

Temp is huge for lettuce! Hope it helps

[@arlisswirtanen7794]

Love the straight forward, informative and often humorous way you present the info, thank you!

[@MrFarmer1997]

for displaying heads, i like to hide ice packs wrapped in clean hand rags to keep cool. i have a wood shelf i made about half the width of the table, and cover that and the table with a red table cloth. this allows me to stack in front of the shelf and hide the icepacks easily between the cloth and lettuce, allowing for a taller, more stable pile and allows piling on top of the shelf wihch gives an illusion of abundance. Id like to not I think that a solid color table cloth is best for displays, it keeps the vegetables as the focuse and doesnt make it look to busy. for loose leaf in bags i simply put ice packs with rags in my wood crates, the bagged lettuce on top. if its slow ill flip the bags to cool the other side or switch with fresh from the cooler. also spritzing with cold water, this is ESSENTIAL and am surprised that no one else at market seems to do it. I go to multiple markets a week, and sometimes bring the same produce from one to the next, this would not be possible without spritzing. radishes, carrots, everything looks as fresh at the end of market as it did at the beginning. it would all be sad and dry without spritzing. besides looks i am positive this translates into better shelf life for customers as well. our job isnt done when the produce is sold, our job is done when the customer goes home, enjoys it, and makes a note to stop again. everything we sell represents us.

[@esperanzavicente4411]

Love the idea of icepacks on the table and in crates! Thanks!

[@kimfroman2023]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@jackzampella5758]

I'm just a back yard gardener but WOW!! What a wealth of knowledge in a short video. Thanks sooo much. Yes I liked and subscribed LOL LOL

[@dandan8333]

As always, your videos are like chocolate chip cookies... packed with so much goodness that, it takes multiple times watching to get fully programed to be successful.

[@notillgrowers]

Haha thank you! 🍪

[@tamarackartstudio7893]

Oh man you’ve got to try Black-Seeded Simpson. Heat tolerant, massive leaf volume and arguably the most beautiful vegetable in existence. The only lettuce I grow in the high tunnel. And it’s heirloom! It’s kind of a pain to save seed if you’re trying to flip a bed but I think it’s worth it. And you can save seed from as little as 5 plants. Epic variety.

[@notillgrowers]

It's funny that I've never grown Black Seeded Simpson because it still has quite a big following here where we are of old-school folks who grew up around gardens. Gonna have to try it!

[@zepguwlthistle7924]

@@notillgrowers i don't like black simpson at all. it is very bitter :( My dad always grew it to make wilted lettuce with and they put tons of bacon grease, vinegar and sugar in it. So after that the bitterness of the lettuce doesn't matter. I don't like wilted lettuce either so as an adult I have never grown black simpson

[@katherinecain7821]

Where can I find some of those seeds?

[@beeperbugs6535]

@@katherinecain7821 Black seeded Simpson (just about anywhere seeds are sold,could be sold out.)

[@watermelonlalala]

@@zepguwlthistle7924 Ha, I grew BS this year and usually I only used a few leaves in a meal with other types of lettuce. But the other day I accidentally picked a big strand of leaves so made a sandwich with all BS. It was bitter. I thought it bolted. Sort of ignored my lettuce since that day. Have to double check, maybe the others are okay.

[@babsoneverything3060]

I've had very successful summer lettuce growing with Michelle lettuce, which is a French Crisp. Of course, I harvest the outer leaves all season long.

[@johnrosier1686]

Thanks for the in-depth discussion on lettuce.

[@jenniferjsaracino]

Good stuff and always entertaining!

[@off-gridsimplyhappyrodriguez]

So glad your video popped up! I was about to sow whatever I have, I learned something new. Thank you

[@jebedwards9671]

Fantastic, what a timely video.

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

Farmer Jesse, thanks for getting to the point. I appreciate that.

[@ryans6699]

Excellent & concise content, thank you sir!

[@garrettscott4094]

You are always fun, full of information ,and you make everything so approachable.

[@rhondamoffit6490]

Goodmorning!!!! I’m so glad I found someone in Kentucky!!!! Thank you for sharing about lettuce!!!

[@mikej9062]

Subscribed. I like the quick, fact-dense presentation format.

[@nodigjonnz]

Great information and love your style!! Looking to start producing for farmers market in our early Summer at the end of this year in NZ. It is very cool that you are so generous with your information and experiences....cheers

[@natefox1496]

Thanks these videos are so helpful

[@navarre7991]

Just what i needed

[@MrMikeyPayne]

Absolutely amazing details, comprehensiveness, visual reinforcements.

[@Marshall_Weber]

Awesome Video as Always!!!

[@davidbryden7904]

The algorithm sent me here 😏 how'd it know I was ready to plant?! Lol 👍 Good stuff, Mister!

[@SharpWorks]

This was the first video I’ve seen from your channel, and I have to say that I subscribed instantly (which is rare for me to do). Something about your editing and personality really made it enjoyable to watch. Love the information. Thank you for taking the time to make videos! Hope to see you at a billion subscribers next week (or whenever)!

[@NicoletteRoux]

great video! so many things I'm going to try. many thanks!

[@mistyn380]

I needed this thank you! Just went grocery shopping yesterday and I’m just mind blown how much it’s gone up since a week ago I was there!

[@christopheraltice5627]

I’m just here for the music.. awesome book by the way!!

[@notillgrowers]

Oh awesome! Thank you

[@cbak1819]

Valuable content. Thank you, thank you!

[@belemsantillan826]

Finally I found you, I have been listening on your podcast

[@vanchhaivideo]

Great for sharing farming experiences.

[@nicholascrawfords5507]

Thank you for the metric conversations.

[@soldiernomore3843]

Jesse great to see you again.

[@squashit339]

Great guide, thank you! I may try to grow some summer lettuce

[@Wicked_urban_garden]

I subscribed today. Thanks for all the tips. I’m in Massachusetts and it’s getting to be the time my lettuce will bolt so ok grateful for all the grate tips. I’ve been succession sowing. Last night a bunch of animals had a party in my lettuce patch and it broke my heart

[@sharonloves]

I just say thanks. I’m in growing zone 6b with a micro climate tendency for high warm moisture almost tropical rainforesty lol. My lettuces are doing very well and I am sowing in all areas of full to partial sun so far so good but it’s only early may. Fingers crossed all continue to thrive.

[@hedykarim3570]

So helpful!

[@kathymcintosh4308]

I just found you and am thrilled as I am also in KY.

[@lilmak889]

Writing more than 5 words to support your channel, because videos are awesome! I wish I could apply this to FL zone 9b 🤣

[@wardrobelion]

I know, right? It seems that all these videos that gets me excited then says northern climates…🧐😎I’m in Florida 9B too…very very that actually helps us. Even California 9B doesn’t help us a lot because they have dry summers and wet winters. We’re our own world 🌎 here in Florida 😉👍

[@Hatfield_Country]

This was helpful! I'm in south central Kentucky.

[@kylek1388]

Here in 9b Florida I had great luck with bronze beauty loose leaf lettuce this year. was the most heat resistant by far out of the several I planted.

[@SeeStuDo]

That's the next variety I want to try.

[@OGgiraffeneck91]

Shout out from muhlenburg co. KY good information. Keep it green my man

[@rubikitchengardening]

Good idea Nice information sir 👍

[@stonemountaincreations3459]

Thank you!

[@KansasGardenGuy]

We grow Tropicana, Tehama, Cherokee, and Salanova here in KS all year around. Saying that they are shade clothed in high tunnels but still get hot here and works great.

[@stonedapefarmer]

Crisp Mint has been my winner for a cut and come again any time of the year. Some variability from seed to seed when buying them, but my best were direct sown in September, overwintered without protection, and grew through several weeks in the 90s in June or July before bolting. All without irrigation. Lost some to frost, and some early bolters, but saved seed from the best performers and now have super lettuce that tastes great, is super crisp, and maintains its quality for at least a couple weeks in the fridge.

[@notillgrowers]

Crisp mint--I'll check it out, thanks!

[@littleglasshouse5797]

ironically, i just transplanted some lettuce into my greenhouse NFT setup tonight and your information about germination temperatures was interesting...so, I just ordered your book for more GSTK.

[@PsychOp8667]

Good stuff bro

[@huckp7773]

"Every little step done correctly" so true haha

[@carlosalbertogonzalezpresi9079]

Es fantástico 🙏🏻 poder escuchar el vídeo en español 🌷🌻🌱 muchísimas gracias por compartir tu experiencia y conocimientos con el mundo 🙂 saludos cordiales desde bugalagrande valle del cauca colombia 🇨🇴.

[@amyk6028]

I really like Bronze Beauty and Cherokee covered with a 30% shade cloth in the summer 👍🏼

[@sarasantos8234]

Thanks!! I’m so determined to keep lettuce going all summer. I found a variety called Slobolt I’m excited to try. 🤞

[@lauranonamaker2610]

Do let us know how it does.

[@jetweiler]

My best summer lettuces: (green) Starfighter, grazion, and tropicana. Best red leaf for me in NE Ohio is Shirane Sky. Only one I've ever tried that never fails to be crisp and sweet in the August heat.

[@christopherfisher128]

There is a long list of complicated, specific to me, & my situation, reasons that I subbed to your channel so I'll jus say: Finally Subbed! :) Thanks for all you, and the larger community, do for those of us too poor to pay attention ;)

[@notillgrowers]

Thanks for the sub!

[@SeeStuDo]

I've had good luck with red varieties, Solar Flare and Lunix in particular. They eat the sun and shake off the heat if well watered. I nip leaves off all summer instead of worrying about avoiding bolt and harvesting it all. I let some Solar Flare go to seed every year and have tons of volunteers in early Spring.

[@peterv3216]

Awesome Jesse! Thanks for the great content! I'm almost finished reading your book and it's really amazing. I own 1/4 of an acre in eastern europe and plan to do a garden that would be able to sustain my family, possibly expand it later on to a market garden. Currently I'm growing microgreens on 1020 shallow flats and elephant garlic in ground. Anyways just wanted to thank you for what you do and I very much appreciate the nerd in you & your humor. You rock!

[@notillgrowers]

🙌

[@FourSeasonFarming]

Wow 🤩 look at the lettuce 🥬👈😂

[@1charlastar886]

Red romaine (Rouge d'Hiver) is tolerating mid-to-upper 90's with 80% shade cloth over it as long as I water twice a day.

[@treasuretreereynolds1764]

You’re funny! New sub just because you made me smile. It’s 6,032 degrees here in Texas but, I may just experiment with lettuce. Maybe. Lol.

[@parkerbarnes7726]

I have found Parris Island Cos to be a decently heat-tolerant romaine-type head lettuce. Typically remains bolt free for me into the mid 80s (F), though relative humidity and VPD are other factors to consider.

[@llswink]

I'm just growing for my husband and I, but I find your information amazingly helpful! Thank you.

[@davidbryden7904]

The successful farmers know the techniques that are successful, right? My sister and I are just home gardeners too. Enjoy the season! 👍

[@llswink]

@@davidbryden7904 Thank you, and you as well.

[@johnmelvin3107]

Thanks for sharing this video, perfect timing for me. I was already planning to start lettuce today, seed came in this past week. So this is great for me. As always your presentation is great and I love you sense of humor! I'm in 7B so I know lettuce this time of year can be a challenge.

[@notillgrowers]

Great to hear--best of luck!

[@Haqqali]

very good video 👌👍👍

[@sillyblind]

Mohave Valley, Arizona 125 8n the shade... Go!

[@donnaf2666]

Love red romaine for North Central KY!

[@homelife8597]

Aphids and ants are the bane of my existence when lettuce is involved. Thanks for the video. Came across you video. Subbed!

[@notillgrowers]

Dang, yeah aphids can be tough, especially in the spring and fall. We find as the soil temperatures rise, aphid populations go down as the plants are better able to assimilate nitrogen in their leaves (because of increased Co2). So healthy soil and maybe even some row cover to warm things up early and late in the year seems to help.

[@buckeyeheirloomseeds]

Thank YOU Soooo Much!!! I just went to Johnny's and Ordered seeds. ( Hehehehehe ) I'm a Seed Seller. But I'm desperate for Lettuce in the Summer. Thanks Again.

[@marcydobbs1653]

I've always grown black seeded Simpson. So did my grandpa. 6A northern KY. Trying a few new to me mixes. I'll let you know how that goes.

[@fastereveryrace3823]

My growing mentor says Buttercrunch works well (south TX zone 9). I haven't had luck even growing winter/early spring.

[@alexpowell9]

How do you get your starts to 2"?? I feel like I can barely get mine to 1"... Great video, thank you!! Also, love the book. Still don't understand soil amendments but striving to do anything I can to get that biology ticking.

[@zztopwater8568]

I started dressing like a market gardener, now I'm rolling in tang.

[@paxtianodirtfrog8947]

Great video again. I'm playing with an ez leaf this time and it will be 90's all week coming. So we shall see, I think I got EZflor (it's red). I don't know if those red lettuces you're showing here are the the same bed you showed me in November but those were awesome and I still talk about that bed. Lastly I hope you hit a million. or a billion. People would be nicer if they watched No-Till growers at least once a week. That is a scientifically proven fact.

[@notillgrowers]

Hahah, thanks, Paxton. Best of luck on the lettuces this hot week

[@lauranonamaker2610]

Thanks, nice to know there is a chance I can grow lettuce under a shade cloth here in 9b central Florida. I grew them outside in Greenstalk Leaf planters Fall, Winter and Spring, I have one left that has not bolted. The kale has survived outside, thought I was going to lose them, when they wilted but they are back. So, I am buying at the store and waiting for the 12 romaine sprouts to get big that are growing in my hydroponic system on my kitchen window sill facing south. i did find that the red romaine bolted weeks after the green romaine.

[@discerningendtimes752]

Been starting to garden. This video shows why after I sprout lettuce indoors and put them outdoors after they sprout, they die here in Mesa AZ And why my home town of Salinas, CA is the lettuce growing capital of the world as the temp there is usually 65 degrees and the hottest it gets in summer is 74. Also it is almost always foggy.

[@denisemiller8474]

I’ve lived in Hollister Salinas area and it gets hotter than 74 degrees.

[@TheGardenerNorth]

Jesse, what seems to be a sorely lacking nuance of market farming is being at the market. Your experience with this would be a huge benefit to newcomers to market farming. It's one thing to grow a good veg, but another thing to sell it! Cheers!

[@MilestoneGarden306]

Hi. Is there somewhere in Canada that carries your book? I see it is only shipped within the U.S on the website. I very much enjoy the channel and the slight nerding out about gardening!

[@jordanhalvorsen8846]

Do every little step correctly ❤🤞

[@christophershreiner5114]

I’m a lazy hobbyist starting out. Think I’ll skip summer lettuce for now. Haha! Spring and fall lettuces for now.

[@tddtv]

I'm trying to grow big heads indoors right now...

[@paulsoutbackgardenaustrali7674]

Would this also suit Loose leaf types..I need grow more 2sell..

[@jasonwagner6385]

Great video. Great hat! Are they available for purchase?

[@blainecelestaine4543]

I'm trying aneunue now

[@dimples7334]

Western Kentucky here. Hubby and I eat a salad every day. Tips for small growers? Pretty new to planting lettuce. Thanks

[@soniahayden7588]

Excellent video, I just subscribed. Since your topic was how to grow lettuce, can you address lettuce pests? How do you control summer lettuce pests? I am constantly fighting slugs! Thanks.

[@kimfroman2023]

This∆

[@cliveburgess4128]

Don't mean to waste your time. but how do you like Kentucky? I moved from fl. to wis. lasted 7 years, enough!! back south, but would love to get out of fl. this info will help me this summer though. will try some of what you said, thanks for all the great info, great channel!!

[@briangreen256]

I've never tried my hand at growing lettuce but I am this year with the prices so high. I life in north Alabama and any recommendations are welcome👍

[@dandeleona4760]

Home gardens, small batch, would do better growing lettuce in sun dappled areas under tree canopy with full sun underneath at some point of the day, or shade of a house (east or west side) for part of the day. The Rule of Thumb is the silkier and delicate the leaf (soft lettuce, cilantro, etc.), the more likely it will prefer partial sun to full sun. It also requires less diligent watering because it doesn't dry out as quickly.

[@mariellemartin5910]

Wow lots of info. Lots of work goes into eatin. Charge more🤑

[@lindseyrogers8587]

How does post harvest water create the most food safety risk? At our farm in subtropical Australia we irrigate with Dam water. Then follow up with tank water in post harvest care.

[@hellomeoww]

What temp is your walk-in cooler at for germination? Also, are you keeping them in there for only 24 hours or until you see the first seed emerging (which would be several days)? Thinking about strings of very warm days when we're not getting those nighttime lows in the '60s...

[@zachwilliams805]

Does the distance the shade cloth has from the plant matter? I'm hoping to experiment with white shade cloth over t-posts for a good amount of my crops. I live at altitude, 4300 ft above sea level, and plan on white sheets of 30% shade cloth.

[@kimfroman2023]

Line!

[@wagonwheelfarm3092]

Hey Jeese maybe to much. Do you put frozen bottle water in your box display? Maybe keep the lettuce cooler while on display?

[@yashaubeeluck1265]

Hi, can you tell me the name of the tool you used in the beginning of the video for sowing please?

[@patriciasweet9102]

So what lettuces would be good to grow in humid south. Once heat and humidity sets in it all bolts. Am missing lettuce now. Been 97-99 with humid conditions.

[@bradvincent8225]

Hello Jessie. In your region is there high levels of humidity in your region in summer? Or does it stay relatively dry but hot?

[@donnaf2666]

Lord have mercy! You need a seeder! I use to raise float tobacco plants about 1/2 acre under roof.