How to Grow First Choice Lettuce
Wikimedia Commons
First Choice Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
vegetableFirst Choice is a crisp head lettuce variety known for its excellent flavor and tight, dense heads. It's a reliable, early-maturing lettuce that produces uniform, medium-sized heads with a light green color and tender inner leaves. This variety is popular with home gardeners and commercial growers for its consistent quality and resistance to bolting.
When should you plant First Choice Lettuce in your zone?
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Example First Choice Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant First Choice Lettuce
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest First Choice Lettuce
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact First Choice Lettuce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best as a cool-season crop in spring and fall
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Get my First Choice Lettuce timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling (1-2 weeks)
1-2 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants are delicate and small.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves.
Vegetative Growth (3-4 weeks)
3-4 weeksLeaves multiply and plants develop a rosette form. Outer leaves expand while center remains compact.
Maintain consistent moisture and adequate spacing. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Keep soil cool with mulch in warm weather.
Head Development (2-3 weeks)
2-3 weeksInner leaves begin tightening into a compact head. Outer wrapper leaves become more numerous and protective.
Maintain even watering to prevent tip burn. Avoid nitrogen excess, which can cause loose heads. Monitor for pests.
Head Maturity & Harvest (ready at 55-70 days)
Ready to harvest; use quicklyHead becomes firm and dense with light green color. Inner leaves are crisp and pale. Plant shows signs of bolting preparation in warm conditions.
Harvest promptly once heads reach desired size to prevent bolting. Early morning harvest provides crispest lettuce. Cut or pull entire plant at base.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; neem oil for heavy infestations
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; create barriers with copper tape; beer traps; diatomaceous earth around plants
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Remove affected plants; rotate crops; use row covers; beneficial nematodes in soil
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage parasitic wasps
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Remove affected leaves; reflective mulch; spinosad spray; row covers for prevention
Uses
Fresh Salads & Eating
CulinaryFirst Choice lettuce is ideal for salads and fresh eating due to its crisp texture and mild, tender flavor. The compact head format makes it perfect for individual servings or family meals. [source]
Sandwiches & Wraps
CulinaryThe sturdy leaves hold up well in sandwiches and wraps without wilting quickly, maintaining texture throughout the meal. [source]
Food Storage & Preservation
HouseholdFirst Choice lettuce stores well in refrigerator crisper drawers for 1-2 weeks. Can be used fresh or lightly blanched for preservation. [source]
Food Nutrient Content
CulinaryLettuce provides vitamins A, K, and C, plus folate and minerals. As a low-calorie food rich in fiber, it supports healthy digestion and nutrition. [source]
Garden Biodiversity
WildlifeLettuce flowers attract pollinators and beneficial insects. Early bolting plants provide seed heads that attract birds. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when heads are firm and compact, typically 55-70 days after planting. Heads should feel dense when gently squeezed. Cut with a sharp knife at the base in early morning when plants are crisp. For prolonged harvest, remove outer leaves while allowing center to continue growing. Chill immediately after harvest for best crispness.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 First Choice lettuce was developed to be a reliable, early-maturing variety that resists bolting even in longer spring seasons, making it ideal for both home gardeners and commercial producers.
- 🌱 Lettuce is over 95% water, making it incredibly hydrating. The crisp texture of head lettuce like First Choice comes from the water-filled cells in the leaves.
- 🌱 Ancient Romans and Egyptians cultivated lettuce, and it was considered a symbol of fertility and abundance in medieval times.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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