How to Plant Broccoli & Lettuce Together

Clear the planting site of weeds, rocks and other debris. Spread a 3- to 5-inch layer of compost over the planting site with a rake. Mix the compost into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil with the rake or a rototiller.

Broadcast 20-20-20, granular fertilizer over the planting site at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 square foot of soil. Mix the fertilizer into the top 3 to 5 inches of soil with a rototiller or garden fork. Smooth the soil's surface with the rake.

Dig one hole for each broccoli start you wish to plant, using a trowel for the task. Space the holes 12 to 20 inches apart in rows spaced 24 to 30 inches apart. Make each hole twice as wide and equal in depth to its broccoli start's root ball.

Slide a broccoli start out of its container carefully. Massage the bottom of the plant's root ball gently to spread the roots outward. Place the plant in the center of one hole you dug. Add or remove soil as needed to position the root ball's top level with the surrounding ground. Fill the remainder of the hole with soil, tamping it around the root ball. Repeat this process to plant each broccoli start, placing one start in each hole.

Dig one hole with the trowel for each lettuce start you want to plant. Position the holes at the midway points between the broccoli plants to create an alternating planting. Make each hole twice as wide and equal in depth to its lettuce plant's root ball.

Pull a lettuce start from its container. Massage the bottom of the plant's root ball gently to spread the roots outward. Place the lettuce plant in the center of its hole. Fill the rest of the hole with soil, and tamp the soil around the roots firmly. Repeat this process to plant one lettuce start per hole.

Water the planting site with water from a garden hose. Apply 1 inch of water to moisten the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Water the area slowly, which prevents the soil from washing away from the plants' root balls.

Water the plants' soil each time the top 1 inch of soil begins to dry. Apply the water during morning hours to allow the broccoli and lettuce leaves to dry before nightfall. Never overwater to the point that the soil becomes soggy.

Harvest the lettuce plants when they reach full size, 45 to 55 days after you planted them. Dig up each lettuce plant with the trowel, working carefully so you do not damage the broccoli plants' roots. Leave the broccoli in place to continue to grow and ripen.