How many lettuce seeds should I sow in one 8" container? Do I put just one seed or scatter a lot?

Question

The lettuce is called buttercrunch bibb. The seeds are also very small, like bird seeds. I just don't know if one seed will sprout a whole head of lettuce, or if I am supposed to put more seeds in one pot. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would place about a dozen seeds around in a pattern that spaces them out. Once the plants sprout, when they have 4 leaves, thin out half of the seedlings, taking every other one by clipping with scissors at ground level so the spacing remains nice and even and you do not disturb the soil. Use the thinnings in salad. (this is why you planted so many! You get to sample them early). Let them grow more, until the leaves touch the other seedlings, then thin them to 3 plants, spaced around the pot. Use these larger thinnings in another salad. YUM. Let the 3 remaining grow, and you can cut them one at a time, as the pot looks crowded, leaving 2, then 1 to grow to full size.

This is a container version of intensive gardening. It gives you several cuttings of lettuce and still lets the final head grow without crowding, as you clip off the competition every time it gets crowded in the pot.

Answer 2

I'd put no more than three or four in a container that size. Once they sprout and start to become crowded, you can remove all but the best seedling; just go by whichever one looks best to you. If you have enough containers, you might try planting a few now, then a few in a week, and a few more then next week, and so on, so that you will have a continuous supply. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Sprinkle in half a dozen seeds, cover lightly, water- & see how many come up. When they sprout, pull out the weakest looking seedlings- leaving ONE to grow & get big. And BELIEVE me, in 6 weeks- it WILL get big! Happy gardening! :)