Planting depth question

[Betsy Ross]

I bought a package of head lettuce seeds. Under planting depth it says "row crop." What does that mean? How deep should I plant my little 4-foot square patch.

[Richard Steele]

1. Lettuce likes to be planted very shallowly.

1/8 or 1/4 inch deep. Any deeper, and the seeds won't sprout.

[ThomWV]

2. Rule of thumb, 5x the size of the seed

That will treat you right most of the time.

Never forget, there's no such thing as too much mulch.

[Kolesar]

3. To make a furrow, take a rake handle and push it down gently onto the bed to make a row

This will reconsolidate the loose, tilled soil into a denser form that will wick water up to the new plants. Push the rake handle down, place seeds into the furrow per the spacing directions on the seed packet, then cover with fine material to a depth of 1/4" to 1/2".

You will need to thin the seedlings as they appear.