Tips and Tricks to Help Grow Lettuce in Summer Heat

At the Rows For The Hungry our lettuce grows well under shade cloth.

The intense summer heat and direct sunlight can negatively impact lettuce, spinach, kale and chard. Lettuce grows best in a temperature range of about 45 to 75 degrees. What can you do? In the Northeast, a 30% shade cloth will work for lettuce, spinach, kale, and chard.

At Rows for the Hungry, we will be able to extend the growing and harvesting season with some shade cloth. For harvesting, the cloth can be raised slightly on the sides without compromising its structure and integrity. These types of lettuces grow well if harvested frequently to prevent bolting. Harvest the leaves from the outside, leaving the inside leaves to continue growing and nourishing the plant.

Succession planting is an excellent way to continue the harvesting of lettuce, spinach, kale, and chard. If starting a second sowing, keep the soil well moist for the seeds to sprout. The second plantings should grow well into the later summer and cooler seasons, allowing for a longer harvesting season.