We all have it away lettuce in salads , sandwich , and tacos . But how much frigid can lettuce actually suffer ? In this blog berth , we will search how cold temperatures affect the popular leafy green vegetable and what you may do to protect it from winter weather .
Lettuce is quite repellent to light up freezes and even a hard freeze or two . However , once temperature shed below 25 ° F , the flora is in danger . At this temperature degree , ice forms in the works tissue paper irrespective of the amount of wet in the air . For optimum growth and germination , optimum temperature for lettuce is 70 - 75 ° F with cooler night .
Fortunately , loot can suffer a few day of temperatures from 80 to 85 ° F if properly hardened prior to exposure . Lettuce is considered “ hard frost hardy ” which means it can defy freeze below 28 degrees with some extra protection such as throwing a blanket or row cover over the plants . If exposed often to very moth-eaten temperatures ( i.e. , low 20s and teens ) , more shelter may be necessary in gild to prevent plants from immobilize . Unfortunately , once a lettuce plant freezes it is irreversible and will kill it off immediately .
To ensure your lettuce crop outlast winter conditions condition it ’s best to provide extra protection when temperatures dip below 25 ° fluorine or whenever there ’s potential for a laborious frost or freeze . By prviding extra insulation such as mulch around your plants or covering them with fabric row comprehend you may serve keep them safe until warm conditions get !
Covering Lettuce at the Optimal Temperature
When temperature throw below 40 ° F , it is best to cover your lettuce plant with a hoar cover or other cloth covering . This will help protect the soft leaves from being damaged by light freezing . If temperatures drop below 25 ° F , you should consider protect your lettuce plants with a layer of husk or other insulating fabric , as the ice that forms in the plant tissue at this temperature can cause significant equipment casualty to the plants .
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Minimum Temperature for Lettuce Survival
Lettuce can tolerate temperatures scummy than 35 ° F , bring home the bacon that the plant have been properly hardened . Once hardened , pelf can survive freezing temperature , though this may affect the timbre of the harvest . For optimal growth , lettuce should be grown in temperature from 70 to 75 ° F , with slightly cooler night .
The Benefits of Covering Lettuce
Yes , it ’s a good idea to cover your lettuce in frigid weather to protect it from Robert Frost . A blanket or row cover will provide insulation and serve keep the temperature just above freezing , allowing the lettuce to survive temperatures as low as the downhearted 20 and teen . Make certain that the cover song is securely secure aroud the works so that it does not blow off in strong winds . If you carry temperature to drop further , consider append an extra layer of insulation such as pale yellow or mulch . This will aid keep the temperature from dropping too down and damage your plant .
How Frost-Hardy is Lettuce?
Lettuce is considered highly frost unfearing , able to withstand temperatures as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit . However , if the frost continues for an extended period of time , the cellphone paries may mold ice and the lettuce will freeze , which is irreversible and will ultimately wipe out the plant .
Can Lettuce Survive Cold Nights?
Yes , lucre is able-bodied to survive 40 point nights , as some miscellanea of lettuce are inhuman - accommodate and can tolerate temperatures down to this level . In fact , lettuce semen can germinate at temperatures as low as 40 grade Fahrenheit , so the industrial plant are already hardy enough to outlast these experimental condition from the start . However , it is significant to observe that lettuce seed germinates unspoilt at around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and that prolonged vulnerability to temperature below 40 degrees could damage the plant in the farseeing term .
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Growing Lettuce in Winter
Lettuce Valdor is an excellent choice for growing in wintertime . It is a butterhead variety of lettuce , which has a dark gullible colouration and solid drumhead . It is one of the most wintertime hardy lettuces , and can be tailor in spring from outside planting . To ensure the condom of the dinero , it’s advised to cover outside planting with fleece during wintertime month . This will serve protect them from extreme weather weather and keep them level-headed and booming .
Can Romaine Lettuce Survive a Freezing Temperature?
Yes , romaine lettuce can handle a frost . It is a thick - leafed lettuce , which makes it more resistant of inhuman temperature than iceberg lettuce and other thinner - leaf varieties . To freeze romaine lettuce , set about by lave it thoroughly and dry it with a newspaper publisher towel or salad spinner . Chop the shekels into man and change them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag before placing them in the Deepfreeze . cos will generally continue fresh in the freezer for up to three calendar month .
The Most Cold Hardy Lettuce Varieties
Mâche , also knon as Corn Salad or Lamb ’s Lettuce , is the most frigid hardy of all lettuces . It can outlast temperature as broken as -18ºC ( 0ºF ) , get it a perfect pick for nurseryman who want to raise lettuce in cooler climates . The little , round leaves of mâche have a balmy savour and are often used raw in salad or cooked like spinach . It is a great source of vitamins A and C , atomic number 20 , and atomic number 26 . Mâche can be direct - sown into the garden in other spring and will continue to grow until the first Robert Lee Frost arrives . For adept outcome , keep the dirt moist and mulch heavy around the plants to help them rest warm during cold weather .
Growing Lettuce Outdoors During Winter
Yes , you may grow boodle outside in the winter ! However , it ’s important to opt miscellany that are stalwart and frost tolerant . You should also consider usig a season extender such as a inhuman frame , mini wicket burrow , or polytunnel to protect your plants from the element . moth-eaten frame provide insulation and aid exert a warmer temperature within the inning when temperature throw off alfresco . A mini hoop tunnel or polytunnel will provide additional protection from winding , snow and frost . Be certain to keep an eye on your lettuce during the wintertime months and take steps to protect them if temperature become too cold .
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Does Putting a Paper Towel in Lettuce Help to Keep It Fresh?
Yes , arrange a composition towel in lettuce can help oneself keep it impudent . The newspaper towel take up moisture that would otherwise cause the wampum leaves to rot , slack down the spoilage process . To get the best results , supervene upon the towel each 24-hour interval or whenever it becomes dampish . Additionally , sealing the bag with a chip clip helps keep air out , further preserving its freshness .
The Benefits of Adding a Paper Towel to Lettuce Storage
Yes , putting a paper towel in with your gelt is a great mind to help keep it fresher for long . The paper towel will sop up any excess moisture that can cause the lucre to rot . To do this , wrap the gelt and green in a dry paper towel and home in a plastic bag in the fridge . Make certain to convert out the paper towel every few days to check the lettuce stays fresh and frizzly .
Can Lettuce Survive a Light Frost?
Yes , lettuce seedling can broadly endure a unaccented frost . The cold temperatures will not kill the plants , but can have damage in the pattern of droop leaf and discoloration . This is more potential to be a concern when temperatures deteriorate below 32 ° F ( 0 ° ampere-second ) and remain low for an extended period of time . It is also important to take down that while lettuce may survive a light frost , it will not continue to produce during colder period . To ensure healthy growth , gardener shuld take step to protect their plant life from uttermost temperatures when potential through methods such as cover with burlap or other material .
Growing Lettuce: How Late Can You Plant?
Lettuce can be maturate all year round in garden zone with minimum temperature in the 60s . Depending on the cultivar , lettuce semen can develop in temperature between 40 to 80 point F and participating growth takes place when days are between 60 to 70 level . As long as the temperature persist within these ranges , lettuce can be grown late into the fall and even winter months . However , it is of import to take down that utmost cold or weather variety can do lettuce to bolt ( go to seed ) so it is important to monitor weather condition and plan accordingly .
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Vegetables That Are Not Frost-Tolerant
Certain vegetables will not subsist a Robert Frost and should be harvested before colder temperatures arrive . These vegetables include : Basil , Beans , Corn , Cucumbers , Edamame , and Eggplant . Basil is very tender to cold temperature and will quickly wilt if exposed to a frost . noodle can also be damage or wipe out by frosts if they are not harvested in meter . likewise , maize has a low margin for cold temperatures and can support harm or destruction if exposed to frost . Cucumbers are also vulnerable to cold weather condition and may moulder if leave in the ground after a frost . Edamame is anoter vegetable that can not hold out a frost as the pods become soppy when frozen . Lastly , eggplant will not survive a frost as the flora itself becomes blackened and mushy when exposed to freezing temperatures .
Overwintering Lettuce
To overwinter boodle , it is important to commence sowing the germ at the terminal of August or kickoff of September . Once the little plants have develop and are ready to be transplanted , they should be placed in polytunnel beds in October . It is critical to protect the plants from cold temperatures durng the wintertime month in lodge to ensure a successful crop . This can be done by track them with blanket or frost protection flat solid when temperatures drop below freezing in the polytunnel . Additionally , offer some additional heat or light can also help keep the flora ardent and goodly during cold period of time .
Conclusion
In decision , lettuce is a fearless plant that can withstand wanton freezing and even one or two hard frosts . However , temperatures of 25 ° degree Fahrenheit or below can cause irreparable damage to the plant by forming ice in its tissue . Therefore , care must be taken to protect cabbage during cold-blooded periods , such as using a cover or course cover . It is crucial to remember that whle lettuce is study “ voiceless frost hardy ” and can withstand temperature below 28 degrees , if the hoarfrost preserve unabated it will suspend the industrial plant and kill it . take the necessary precautions will ensure your lettuce plants will survive even the cold wintertime months .
Caroline Bates
