Grow Your Own Salad: How to Grow Lettuce from Seed to Harvest

Did you know that the freshest and most delicious lettuce comes from growing them yourself? At home, Billy and I haven't bought a plastic box of lettuce in months and enjoy fresh salad almost daily! We've been growing lettuce hydroponically indoors and are now gearing up to start our outdoor lettuce garden. In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Burke from Gardenary, who shares her expertise on growing lettuce and how you can start your own lettuce garden, even if you don't have a lot of space or experience! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a houseplant parent looking to expand your plant collection, this episode has something for everyone.

In this episode, we learn:

• [00:03] Maria shares indoor hydroponic lettuce growth and outdoor lettuce garden prep.
• [06:02] Why lettuce is ideal for first-time food-growing houseplant parents.
• [06:53] What is Gardenary all about?
• [08:23] How Nicole makes beautiful raised-bed gardens
• [14:19] Where are 98% of the United States lettuces grown?
• [17:01] What materials are needed for lettuce?
• [20:47] Where can you find a wide array of quality lettuce seeds and seed mixes?
• [23:27] Where to get a potting mix, soil, fertilizer, or compost for your garden beds/containers?
• [25:15] What lettuce does Nicole recommend for beginners?
• [24:34] Lettuce Category #1: Loose leaf
• [29:15] Lettuce Category #2: Head lettuce
• [31:09] Is Nicole indoor-starting or direct-sowing lettuce?
• [32:32] How do you calculate when it's time to start direct sowing?
• [35:55] What is the process of growing lettuce from seed?
• [36:14] Process #1: If you have limited space
• [40:40] Where to find a nutrition program for weight management, more energy, and clear skin?
• [42:55] Process #2: If you live in an apartment
• [46:01] What are Nicole’s tips for harvesting?
• [47:53] What mistakes do people commonly make in growing lettuce?
• [49:58] How to eat Swiss chard
• [52:23] Have you heard of Nicole’s newest book Kitchen Garden Revival?
• [57:45] Where can you follow Nicole?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Growing Joy Episode 120 Designing and Planning My Garden // Coaching With Nicole of Gardenary
• Ivette Soler’s book The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden
• Hydroponic planter
• Nicole Burke’s book Kitchen Garden Revival
• Nicole’s Burke’s book Leaves, Roots & Fruit
• Rocky Top Mix Salad Blend
• Territorial Seed Company Spring Mixes
• Martha Stewart's book Vegetables: Inspired Recipes and Tips for Choosing, Cooking, and Enjoying the Freshest Seasonal Flavors: A Cookbook
• 10 Years, 4 Cities, 8 Gardens-Nicole Burke's Kitchen Garden Journey

For a complete list of lettuce types, tips, and tricks,

check out the full show notes and blog here!

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Territorial Seed Company

Growing your own salad