Lettuce, Grand Rapids Seed Tape

Name: Lettuce, Grand Rapids Seed Tape
Brand: McKenzie Seeds
SKU: 139828
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Lactuca sativa

$4.99

Sale Sold out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Earn 5 points for this item with our
rewards program.

Product Information

The Grand Rapids Lettuce Seed Tape makes growing fresh, crisp lettuce easier than ever.

Pre-spaced seeds in biodegradable tape ensure uniform planting and consistent growth. Grand Rapids is the best-known loose-leaf lettuce variety. This variety produces medium to large upright, light green leaves. The mild and flavorful leaves are frilled and crisp. Being an exceptionally fast grower, it is the earliest to bear. This cool-season plant is slow to bolt and can be grown later in the spring than most other varieties.

Please Note: Seed tapes require consistent moisture to ensure the best germination.

SKU: 139828
Common Name: Lettuce
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

Growing Information

Grows
Best In:

Full sun|Partial sun

Days to
Germination:

7 - 10 days

Water
Needs:

Moist 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week

Days to
Maturity:

45 days

Best
Container Size:

45 cm+ (18"+)

Key Features

Plant Type: Vegetable
Plant Lifecycle: Annual
Fill Weight (grams): 4.5 meters (15 feet)
Approximate Seed Count: 340+
Characteristics: Container friendly
Planting Method: Direct Sow
Color: Green
Water Needs: Moist 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Landscape Use: Edible Garden
Growth Habit: Loose leaf
Resistance: Tip Burn
Tolerance: Light frosts|Bolt|Heat
Companion Planting: Plant near chives, onions, oregano, peas, radish, basil, zinnia. Chives, onions, and garlic can repel aphids and other pests by disguising the scent of the lettuce with their own aromatic properties. Basil is believed to enhance both the taste and development of lettuce. Radishes can serve as a useful decoy crop to attract flea beetles away from lettuce.
Flavor: Sweet, crisp, tender, and tasty
Preparation Ideas: Make a delicious salad with leaves from this variety.

Instructions

How To Grow

Lettuce seeds should be sown directly into the garden when the soil is warm and all danger of frost is past. Optimum soil temperature (not air temperature) should be 5-27°C (40-81°F) for seeds to germinate. Planting at a lower temperature will delay germination. Prepare the soil for planting. Make shallow rows 13 mm (1/2") deep and 30 cm (12") apart. Tear strips apart and unroll into rows. Water the Seedtape thoroughly, then cover with 1.3 cm (1/2") of soil and water thoroughly again. It is critical to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy during germination. Do not allow the soil to become dry, as young plants have underdeveloped roots and can quickly dehydrate, particularly in windy conditions. Lettuce grows quickly and more seeds can be succession planted every 3 weeks until August for a continuous supply of lettuce. more seeds can be succession planted every 3 weeks until August for a continuous supply of lettuce.

Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.

Planting Depth: Make shallow rows 13 mm (1/2") deep and 45 cm (18") apart.
Instructions for Nutrient Care: Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.

Suggestions

An excellent lettuce for cut-and-grow. You can harvest leaf lettuce from the outside of the plant, leaving the central bud to grow more leaves or cut 5 cm (2") from the ground so that the base of the plant is left intact. The head will regrow new leaf sets in a few weeks to harvest again.
The key to a high-quality crop of tender succulent leaves is consistent moisture. If lettuce plants are heat or drought-stressed, the leaves turn bitter and the plants will bolt. Bolting is when the plants switch from leaf production to flower production and a flower stalk emerges.
Delay bolting by covering plants with a shade cloth so they get filtered light. Be sure to maintain watering throughout the warmest parts of the growing season.
Promote leaf production by regularly feeding with a water-soluble plant food such as SUPERthrive.
Harvest lettuce in the morning, before the sun hits the plant, when full-size but young and tender. Mature lettuce gets bitter and woody and will go bad quickly.
Wilted lettuce leaves? Place the leaves in a bowl of cold water with ice cubes and soak for about 15 minutes, spin them dry and they are ready for salads.