How to Grow Coastal Star
Lactuca sativa
Coastal Star is a resilient heirloom lettuce variety thriving in cool conditions across USDA zones 2 through 11. Gardeners prize its ability to withstand light frost while delivering crisp leaves within about two months of sowing.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Coastal Star: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
If starting indoors, move sturdy seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, hardening them off for a week first.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of roughly 1/4 inch, then water lightly. Expect germination within 7 to 14 days.
Space Coastal Star plants 8 to 10 inches apart to ensure good air circulation. Provide consistent deep watering totaling 1 to 2 inches per week, avoiding wetting the leaves directly. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth slows.
Watch for aphids, thrips, leafminers, and caterpillars; remove them by hand or use insecticidal soap early. Prevent downy mildew and bacterial leaf spot by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest outer leaves when the plant reaches maturity in about 57 days.
When to Plant Coastal Star
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Coastal Star
✓ Good companions
Deep roots complement lettuce's shallow roots, efficient space usage without competition
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control lettuce pests
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases and repel pests
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting lettuce from pest damage
Break up soil for lettuce roots and mature quickly, allowing succession planting
Similar growing requirements and can provide shade during hot weather
✗ Keep away from
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade out lettuce
Can attract carrot flies and compete for similar nutrients in the root zone
Allelopathic effects inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
