How to Grow Jericho
Lactuca sativa
Jericho lettuce is a reliable cool-season heirloom known for its superior heat tolerance and excellent bolt resistance. Gardeners prize this variety for its ability to thrive in various conditions while delivering crisp leaves with minimal bitterness.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Jericho: 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 once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are consistently cool.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil adjusted to a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 for optimal growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of approximately one-quarter inch. Germination typically occurs within seven to fourteen days under moist conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and head formation. While lettuce does not require trellising, consistent deep watering is essential; aim for one to one-and-a-half inches per week to prevent stress. Apply a light mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the leaves directly.
Monitor plants closely for aphids, leafminers, and caterpillars, treating infestations early with water sprays or organic controls. Prevent bacterial spot and tipburn by maintaining even soil moisture and ensuring good airflow. Harvest outer leaves when the plant is mature, typically sixty to seventy days after sowing, cutting them just above the base for continuous picking.
When to Plant Jericho
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 | 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 Jericho
✓ Good companions
Deep roots complement lettuce's shallow roots, maximizing soil use without competition
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control lettuce pests
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases and deter slugs
Repel nematodes, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling ants
Quick-growing radishes loosen soil for lettuce and can be harvested before lettuce needs space
Similar growing requirements and can provide mutual shade in hot weather
✗ Keep away from
Large leaves create excessive shade and compete heavily for soil nutrients
Strong allelopathic effects inhibit growth of lettuce and most other garden plants
Allelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
