How to Grow Summertime
Lactuca sativa 'Summertime'
Lactuca sativa 'Summertime' is a heat-tolerant lettuce variety prized for its resistance to bolting and tip burn. Gardeners grow this cool-season crop for fresh greens that remain crisp even as temperatures rise, making it an excellent choice for late spring or early summer harvests.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Summertime: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
You can start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings outdoors once they are sturdy, ensuring you harden them off gradually to prevent shock from the sudden change in environment.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to ensure healthy root development. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before your last expected frost date. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of about one-quarter inch. Expect germination within seven to twelve days under proper conditions.
Space plants ten to twelve inches apart to allow adequate airflow and prevent overcrowding. While lettuce does not require trellising, consistent moisture is vital; aim for 1.5 inches of water per week with deep watering schedules. Apply a light layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth slows.
Watch for aphids, slugs, snails, and cabbage loopers; use hand-picking or organic controls like netting to manage them. Prevent downy mildew, bottom rot, and tip burn by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding wet foliage. Harvest outer leaves when the plant reaches 70-80 days from sowing for continuous cutting, or wait until heads form.
When to Plant Summertime
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 | June – 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 Summertime
✓ Good companions
Loosens soil for lettuce roots and doesn't compete for nutrients due to different root depths
Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control aphids
Natural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases and repels various pests
Repels nematodes, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from lettuce
Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for space due to compact growth habit
Breaks up compacted soil and deters flea beetles that can damage lettuce
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient use of garden space
✗ Keep away from
Competes heavily for nitrogen and space, can shade lettuce and stunt growth
Allelopathic effects inhibit lettuce germination and growth, plus creates too much shade
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
