Garden Mesclun Blend Lettuce Guide

Enjoy this colorful mix of light to dark green, orange to deep red lettuces with endive and radicchio mixed in. The complex, crunchy blend is sure to brighten up your salad – plus you don’t have to add anything extra! It’s like growing your bowl of salad in a container.

TO SOW

This mesclun blend grows best in cooler weather between 45°F-70°F. They do great in containers and small gardens. Bank on Seeds recommends direct seeding.

If Direct Seeding

• Direct seed outside 2-3 weeks after last frost date; or

• Direct seed into a container 8-10 inches deep and wide anytime of the year. It can be placed outside when the temperature is between 50°F-70°F; or

If Transplanting

Begin the growing season early and start the lettuce seeds indoors in trays or pods 6 weeks before the last frost date. Germination is best and fastest between 50°F-70°F. It can be transplanted outside 8 weeks later.

Sow 2-3 seeds 1/8th of an inch deep and 10 inches apart. If planting multiple rows leave 12-18 inches in between. Germination will take 5-10 days.  Sow more seeds every 3 weeks for continuous harvesting.

TO GROW

Lettuce likes well-draining and well-worked soil rich in organic matter. They also like partial shade and cool growing conditions but will tolerate full sun. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist and do not let the soil dry out for long.  Check the top 1-2 inches of soil and if it is dry, then water it.

Apply mulch to the top of soil to retain moisture, regulate temperature and deter weeds. No additional fertilizer is required but if you want, add aged compost or all-purpose fertilizer like 10-10-10 to the top of the soil.

TO REAP

Days to maturity take 45-60 days. Cut leaves as needed as soon as they start forming for cut and come again harvest or wait until full maturity and replant a new bed of greens. Harvesting in the morning when it is cool outside is recommended.

PESTS/DISEASES

Aphids, cutworms, leaf miners, cabbage loopers, slugs, snails – hand pick off, neem oil, insecticidal spray, plant collar or row covers, spray with pesticide containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

*Companion plant lettuce with basil, dill, cilantro, thyme, sage, carrots, cucumbers, radishes, and strawberries. Avoid planting with members of the brassica family such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. *