Growing enough lettuce for two people in urban planter boxes is an efficient way to enjoy fresh greens year-round. Generally, you would need 2-3 medium-sized planter boxes (approximately 24x12 inches each) to maintain a continuous supply for two adults. This calculation assumes you're practicing succession planting - replacing harvested plants with new seedlings every 2-3 weeks.
Lettuce grows relatively quickly, with most varieties ready for harvest in 45-55 days. For continuous production, consider planting 8-12 lettuce plants per planter box, depending on the variety. Loose-leaf lettuces can be planted more densely than head lettuces like romaine or iceberg.
The key factors determining your exact needs include:
- Lettuce variety (leaf lettuce yields more continuously than head types)
- Planter box dimensions and depth (minimum 6-8 inches deep)
- Your household's consumption habits
- Growing season length and climate conditions
- Succession planting schedule
Start with two planter boxes and adjust based on your actual consumption. Remember to harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth, and you'll have a steady supply of fresh lettuce for salads and sandwiches throughout the growing season.