Preparing a lettuce land

Lettuce grows rapidly and has a relatively shallow root system. This means you have to ensure the crop gets off to a running start. Your initial task is, therefore, to address soil fertility at the soil preparation stage.

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This crop does well with organic fertiliser. But if you overdo the manure or compost, the excess nitrogen and associated vigour can induce the plant to produce too many lush leaves. This compromises head formation.

I once came across a KwaZuluNatal farmer who had two neighbouring lettuce lands. One had been over-fertilised with manure, and, as a result, the lettuce here had large, very dark green leaves and small heads, with some plants producing no heads whatsoever. The lettuce in the adjoining land was perfect.

The first rule of growing vegetables is: don’t plant any crop without knowing the fertility status of the land. There is too much at stake. Carry out basic, preplanting fertilisation according to a soil analysis, followed by applications of nitrogen according to the stage of growth, rainfall, and other conditions.