How to Grow Iceberg Lettuce in North Carolina

Direct Sowing

• 1

  Spread 2 to 3 inches of compost over the planting area, and incorporate to a depth of about 6 inches. Break up any large clods of soil, and rake the surface into a smooth, level bed.

• 2

  Sow seeds directly into the bed 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch deep in rows 20 inches apart. For a spring crop, seeds may be sown in February in the low elevations of eastern North Carolina, though the ground is not warm enough until late March in the mountains of western North Carolina. In the higher elevations, lettuce can be seeded anytime in spring for harvesting throughout the summer months. For fall plantings in the eastern part of the state, plant between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1. Plant between July 25 and Aug. 15 for a fall crop in western North Carolina.

• 3

  Thin seedlings four to six weeks after planting. Leave one for every 5 inches of row space.

• 4

  Water whenever the top 1/2 inch of the soil is dry, and cultivate the soil lightly to remove weed growth as it appears.

• 5

  Fertilize every three weeks with a light dusting of 5-10-10 fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer several inches away from either side of the plants, avoiding contact with the leaves.

• 6

  Begin harvesting heads when they are 4 inches in diameter. Mature size of most varieties is about 6 inches, but the quality of young heads is usually very good and it will help to spread out the harvest over a longer period.

Starting Indoors

• 7

  Fill seed trays with potting soil and start seeds indoors to get an early start on spring plantings. In the low elevation areas of North Carolina where temperatures heat up early in the growing season, sow the seed in late January. For the mountains in the western part of the state, start seeds indoors in March.

• 8

  Slowly transition seedlings from indoor growing conditions over a period of a week. Bring them outside to a partially shaded location for a short period each day and slowly acclimate them to full sun before transplanting.

• 9

  Plant seedlings about six to eight weeks after sowing seed. Space them 10 inches apart in rows 20 inches apart.