Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have searched and I see all kinds of numbers written about how long it takes to grow lettuce from seed to harvest.

Almost all the numbers are not from actual people growing it.

So I would love to hear for some of people on here about their actual grow times.

What kind of lettuce are you growing?
DWC or media bed?
Greenhouse outdoor?
How many days from seed to ready to harvest?

It really depends on the variety, and the system.

I know Ryan Chatterson can get butternut crunch lettuce from seed - harvest in 6 weeks.

I've found it takes around 9 weeks for me. And I usually do them in DWC, but the growth is about the same in media. But my nitrates are usually low, and lettuce grows a bit faster with higher nitrates.

Mine takes forever, it seems. About a week to sprout, then two weeks to really get started, then it finally starts growing and I get a nice sized head in another 6 - 8 weeks I'd say. I grow in a raft and also in clay media. I have three varieties now but I can't tell you what they are without getting the seed package.

I've heard 4-6 weeks depending on variety. 24 hour lights speeds them up quite a bit. I've only grown cut and come again variety for my own use. If i start getting too much I just cut back on light.

I am growing Salanova Green Oakleaf, Salanova Green Butter.

It is in DWC

I am coming up on 8 weeks on my first crop.

I know each system is different. But this info you are sharing helps me to ballpark how mine is doing.

Mine system might get better times with my new filter but who knows time will tell.
I have been planting a few each week or two. I would like to get a continues lettuce supply.

+1 to colum and dstjohn99. It is a good 6 weeks plus just to pick some early leaves.
Heads (which I never get anyway) would be much longer.

For me it is quicker to raise the lettuce in seed trays and then add as seedlings to the system.
I get them to a good sized seedling much quicker that way.

(that is mainly Cos and some of the picking varieties which I feel grow fastest in my system anyway),

That is pretty consistent across all seeds IMO - I think the seeds like the seed-mix warmth early on.
whereas the AP water can be quite cool, particularly in spring/autumn