A thin compost layer can add organic matter and nutrients around established lettuce without burying the plant crown. The goal is to improve the soil surface while keeping leaves and stems dry and unobstructed.
Choose finished compost
Use dark, crumbly compost with an earthy smell and no obvious fresh food scraps. Screen out large pieces before spreading so the material sits evenly around small plants.
Protect the crowns
Pull weeds first, then place a shallow layer around the plants. Keep compost away from the center where the leaves emerge, and avoid piling it against the lower leaves.
Water gently
Water at soil level after spreading so the compost settles without splashing soil onto edible leaves. A gentle flow is better than a strong spray that exposes roots or flattens seedlings.
Use a light repeat application
Lettuce has a short growing cycle, so a modest surface application is usually enough. Watch plant color and growth, and avoid adding fertilizer automatically when the soil is already fertile.