How to Grow Great Lakes
Lactuca sativa 'Great Lakes'
Great Lakes lettuce is a reliable heirloom variety prized for its crisp leaves and adaptability to cool climates. Gardeners favor this plant for its moderate growing difficulty and ability to thrive in zones 2 through 11, making it an excellent choice for early spring or late fall harvests.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Great Lakes: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors after hardening off, but direct sowing is often preferred as this variety tolerates light frost well.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost date since this variety tolerates light frosts. If starting indoors, begin seeds about 4 weeks prior to transplanting. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of roughly 1/4 inch and wait for germination within 7 to 14 days.
Space plants 12 to 15 inches apart in rows to ensure proper airflow. While lettuce does not require trellising, keep soil consistently moist with about 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly to prevent bolting. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed lightly if growth seems sluggish, though this variety generally thrives without heavy fertilization.
Watch for aphids, slugs, cutworms, and flea beetles; use row covers or hand-pick pests early. Prevent downy mildew, lettuce drop, bottom rot, and tip burn by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest outer leaves when the plant reaches maturity in 85 to 90 days, or snip whole heads once they form a tight core.
When to Plant Great Lakes
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | April – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | March – December |
Companion Plants for Great Lakes
✓ Good companions
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps aerate soil
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects and may improve lettuce growth when young
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases like downy mildew
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting lettuce
Quick-growing companions that help break up soil and deter root maggots
Similar growing requirements and helps maximize space in cool-season gardens
✗ Keep away from
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade lettuce excessively
Can stunt lettuce growth when planted too closely due to root competition
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
