Lettuce is a cool-weather crop that is a go-to when it comes to salads and sandwiches. You’ll love its crisp bite and refreshing flavor. Since this plant thrives in cool temperatures, it’s perfect for planting in spring and fall.
From the classic iceberg lettuce and the frilly leaf varieties to the trendy romaine, there are various types to choose from. Each has its unique taste and texture.
Growing lettuce at home is a great way to save money on groceries and it’s now made easier than ever. Thanks to the AeroGarden, you can now grow these greens right in your kitchen. No soil mix needed!
Let’s talk about how you can harvest the crispest lettuce with this nifty indoor gardening system.
I’ve used AeroGarden for years, and I’m excited to share my tips with you. It’s amazing how quickly you can go from planting seeds to enjoying homegrown lettuce in your salads.
- Related article: Top Crops to Grow in AeroGarden
5 Key Takeaways on How to Harvest AeroGarden Lettuce
- AeroGarden offers a wide selection of salad green seed pod kits, each containing different lettuce varieties and mixes tailored to suit diverse tastes and preferences.
- These seed pod kits are designed to make indoor gardening effortless and enjoyable. It is perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
- Planting lettuce in the AeroGarden is straightforward. Simply fill the water bowl, add nutrients, place the seed pods, and adjust the light settings according to the kit’s instructions.
- Maintain a cool environment (around 60-65°F or 15-18°C) for best results in growing lettuce. Watch out for higher temperatures as this plant may bolt, affecting its taste.
- Harvest lettuce when it has developed several leaves, using sanitized scissors to trim outer leaves regularly. This promotes continuous growth and ensures a steady supply of fresh greens.
What Salad Green Seed Pod Kit Choices Are Offered by AeroGarden?
AeroGarden provides a variety of salad green seed pod kits designed to simplify indoor gardening. These kits offer an assortment of lettuce varieties tailored to suit different tastes and preferences. This section explores the options available, helping you select the perfect lettuce kit to start your AeroGarden journey.
Here’s a quick list of AeroGarden seed pod kit options that have lettuce:
| Seed Pod Kit | Contents |
| Heirloom Salad Greens Mix Seed Pod Kit (latest price) | Black seeded simpson, Deer tongue amish green, Red sails, Marvel of 4 seasons, Rouge d’hiver, and Parris island |
| Mixed Romaine Lettuce Seed Pod Kit (latest price) | Red and green romaine lettuce varieties |
| Salad Greens Seed Pod Kit (latest price) | Red lettuce, Green lettuce, Romaine, and Butterhead lettuce |
| Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit (latest price) | Chives, Dill, Genovese basil, Parris island, Black seeded simpson, Deer tongue, Marvel of 4 seasons, Rogue d’hiver, Red sail, Red heirloom cherry tomato, Golden harvest cherry tomato |
| Custom Salad Seed Pod Kit (latest price) | Choose 3 from a variety of 15 salad greens: Arugula, Baby greens, Black seeded simpson, Bok choi, Collard greens, Deer tongue, Dinosaur kale, Kale, Mustard, Parris island, Romaine, Rouge d’hiver, Salad greens, Swiss chard, Tatsoi |
Other salad green kits that you might consider are:
- Mixed Kale Seed Pod Kit (view item)
- Bok Choi Seed Pod Kit (check price)
- Japanese Greens Seed Pod Kit (buy item)
Ready to start your indoor lettuce garden? AeroGarden makes it simple. Pick a type of lettuce that catches your eye and get growing! You’ll be tossing fresh salads in no time.
How Do You Plant Lettuce in the AeroGarden?
Once you have chosen which lettuce variety to grow, it’s time to plant your seeds. If you have used your AeroGarden before, then you will need to sanitize your garden first. After that, the steps will be the same as using a newly bought model.
Plant lettuce indoors with your AeroGarden by following these steps:
- Fill your AeroGarden water bowl with either distilled or tap water up to the “Fill to Here” indicator. The use of hard or softened water is not advisable.
- If you own an AeroGarden model that has the “Plant Select” feature, choose “Salad Greens” as the plant type.
- Check the Liquid Plant Food bottle for the right amount to use. Pour it in and let your plants soak up the goodness. Don’t worry about feeding them again until you see the “Add Nutrient” reminder pop up. This usually happens after a few weeks.
- Arrange your AeroGarden seed pods in the empty slots on the Grow Deck. Space the pods evenly and label them accordingly. Your kit should have instructions on where the pods should go. There are designated areas for taller and shorter plants.
- Place Grow Domes over each pod to lock in moisture and help with germination.
- Adjust the light to its lowest position.
Different lettuce seedlings take different amounts of time to grow. The germination time for salad greens usually takes 5-8 days.
How Do You Grow and Tend to Lettuce in the AeroGarden?
Fresh lettuce is one of the quickest plants from seed to harvest that you can grow in your indoor garden. Follow the tips below to enjoy a steady supply of this crop’s green leaves for months!
- Remove Grow Domes – Once you see plants start to emerge from the holes in the seed pod label, it is time to remove the domes. This is best done after the lights have turned off to avoid stressing the plant.
- Keep the Garden Watered and Fed – Always ensure that there is plenty of water and enough nutrients in the water tank. Nutrients should be replenished every two weeks while water levels should never go below the indicator.
- Maintain a Cool Temperature – Lettuce thrives in cooler temperatures, ideally between 60°F (15°C) to 65°F (18°C). When temperatures rise from 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C), lettuce may start bolting. This can make your AeroGarden lettuce bitter. Make sure to keep an eye on your plant if you place it near sunny windows.
- Grow Lights – A general rule of thumb is to place the lights 6-8 inches above the tallest part of your plant. Some plants like herbs need higher light levels so you can do 3 inches.
- Trimming Your Plant – Remove brown or dead leaves at the base of the plant by using sanitized scissors. Regularly trim outer leaves to encourage new growth and prevent overcrowding as well.
Most lettuce and salad greens last about two months, with some varieties stretching to three months. Keep an eye out for signs that your greens are nearing the end of their life cycle. Have you noticed a bitter taste creeping in? Or maybe you’ve spotted some flowers starting to form? These are telltale signs it’s time to start a new batch.
How Do You Harvest Lettuce in the AeroGarden?
Lettuce is a plant that keeps on giving. If harvested properly, you can enjoy your lettuce plants for months on end.
Here are some tips for harvesting lettuce:
- Harvesting mature lettuce can start 21 days after germination.
- I like to start harvesting my plants when they have about six leaves.
- Grab some clean scissors or snips. Always use clean tools when cutting your plants. It helps prevent the spread of diseases.
- Cut a couple of the lower, outer leaves from each plant to ensure lettuce yields in AeroGarden increase.
- Only take about a third of the plant at most.
- Spread your harvest out among all your plants.
- Continue to remove brown and dead leaves from around the base of the plants to avoid molds.
Remember, patience is key. Your plants will reward you with continuous growth if you treat them right.
AeroGarden Lettuce Final Thoughts
Growing fresh salad greens at home is easier than you might think. With AeroGarden’s seed pod kits, you can have a mini garden right on your kitchen counter. No need for an outdoor space!
These kits come with everything you need to start your indoor salad bar. You’ll find classic lettuce types like romaine and butterhead. But why stop there? Try out some heirloom mixes or exotic greens to spice things up.
I’ve used these kits myself, and let me tell you, there’s nothing like picking fresh leaves for your lunch salad. It’s so satisfying! Plus, you know exactly where your food came from so you don’t have to worry about pesticides and pesky pests.
Want to know the best part? You can grow greens all year round. No more sad, wilted lettuce from the store in winter. These kits are super easy to use. Just pop in the pods, add water, and watch them grow.
Ready to give it a try? Pick a kit that sounds good to you and get started. Trust me, once you taste your homegrown salad, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
AeroGarden Lettuce FAQs
1. When Should I Harvest My AeroGarden Lettuce?
Growing lettuce in an AeroGarden is quick and easy. After just 3 weeks, you can start picking some leaves. By week 4, your lettuce will be fully grown. Want to know when it’s ready? Look for leaves about 4 inches tall. That’s your cue to start harvesting.
2. How Do You Cut Lettuce off Your AeroGarden?
When harvesting lettuce, you’ve got two options. First, you can snip off whole leaves. Grab your scissors or shears and cut right at the base of the leaf. The second method is my personal favorite. Take your scissors and trim just the top third of the leaves. Easy, right?
3. How Do You Harvest Hydroponic Lettuce So It Keeps Growing?
You can regrow most lettuce types multiple times. Just cut the outer leaves when you harvest. This lets the core and roots keep growing. With careful harvesting, you’ll get three to five harvests from each plant.
For more information and options to grow on the AeroGarden, check out the articles below:
