# Lettuce Seed: To Cover or Not to Cover with Dirt?
Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) can be a difficult vegetable to start from seed when germinating conditions aren't optimum. Because lettuce has such small, perishable seeds, damage and germination problems are likely. Many lettuce germination issues begin at sowing since a lot of confusion surrounds the issue of whether or not to cover lettuce seeds. While lettuce requires light to germinate, it also needs help with moisture retention. Lettuce germinates best with a light covering of growing medium.
Things You'll Need
- Seed starting containers
- Seed starting medium
- Probe thermometer
- Seed germinating mat (Optional)
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Fill small containers or seed trays with a sterile, soil-less, seed starting medium. Water the medium until it is moist to the touch but not soaking wet.
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2
Measure the temperature of the prepared seed trays with a probe thermometer. Use a seed germination mat if a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit cannot be achieved in a few days of exposure to ambient temperatures.
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3
Spread a few seeds in each seed compartment and cover them with about 1/4-inch of seed medium. Press the medium firmly against the seeds and mist the top of the medium with a spray bottle.
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4
Mist the seed trays regularly to keep the seeds moist. Cover them with plastic if the seeds are not remaining moist most of the time. Remove the plastic once the seeds germinate.
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1
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