Laying hen litter [3.4% nitrogen (N), 0.86% phosphorus (P), 15% water (H2O)] as a fertilizer was evaluated in greenhouse production of strawberry(Fragaria ananassaDuch. cv. Oso Grande) and cos‐lettuce(Lactuca sativaL. cv. Amanthus). Litter was preplant soil incorporated at 7 (R1) and 14 (R2) ton ha‐1, and compared to ammonium nitrate (AN) (34–0–0) and an unfertilized (control) treatments. Rates of AN were at 150 kg N ha‐1for strawberry, in eight split applications, and 100 kg N ha‐1for lettuce, in two split applications. Preplant soil levels (mg kg‐1) of NO3‐N and P(H2O sol.) were 80 and 5.5, respectively (strawberry), and 91 and 6.8, respectively (lettuce). Strawberry yield was highest in R2 with all fertilized treatments yielding higher than the control. Leaf phosphorus (P) was comparable in all treatments, with R2 giving the highest P content. Lettuce yield was comparable in all treatments. Leaf NO3‐N was higher in all fertilized treatments than the control and leaf P was comparable among all treatments. The lower rate of litter is recommended as it is equally effective to AN and the higher litter rate.