Idiot question: How BIG is (leaf) lettuce when ready?
mmqchdygg
14 years ago
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Comments (14)
anney
14 years agofarmersteve
14 years agoRelated Discussions
How to grow big heads of lettuce
Comments (11)rj_hythloday Some lettuce won't germinate if you cover the seeds -- they require light. It's either dark or light-colored seed this rule applies to, and since I can't remember which, I sow all lettuce on top of the soil, where both kinds of seed germinate. Also, lettuce seeds do not have a long self-life. I think tops is 2-3 years. But give your seeds more time. If it's been overcast and rainy for days on end for you as it has been here, smaller seeds may germinate more slowly. My cukes, squash, and beans all germinated enthusiastically in this weather, but not my chives. Of course you may be right that the rain washed too much soil on top of the seeds you planted, but still, it could just be that they're slow, not buried. I'd replant in a week if they still haven't germinated....See MoreWhen to harvest lettuce and chard
Comments (9)I don't know how much chard you have, but I would let it get a bit larger before you harvest. You can certainly harvest now, but I think for the 2 of us, we would eat all of that chard in one meal! It cooks down to about an 8th of what you start with! Great with onions, garlic, mushrooms and some diced tomatoes, all saute'd or stir fried! MMMMMMMMM Nancy...See MoreWhen should I harvest Fall Lettuce and Bok Choy?
Comments (55)PM2 - A ways back you asked about where to get spun bond row cover. Johnny's carries it in two weights, one for summer mainly to keep insects off, though I have used it for fall frost protection stretched over hoops of black plumbing pipe, this year allowing me to harvest peppers and cherry tomatoes until 2 weeks ago. I've never harvested warm weather crops into November, and I've been gardening in this town for 34 years. The other is specifically for winter protection and is a heavier weight. Where you are, with a combination of plastic sheets or bubble wrap and spun bond on hoops over rows, I imagine that you can harvest until the first heavy snow. My redbor kale is still out in the garden totally unprotected, and it's fine even though the temperatures have been down to 20 degrees the last two nights. It is deep purple and ruffled, gorgeous to the point that one of my neighbors stopped to ask what it is. (During the summer it was more blue-purple, and while attractive enough that I plant one in a container of ornamentals each year, didn't stand out as much as now in an empty garden). I mostly eat it as I am out working in the garden - a grab and go salad - since DH isn't fond of cabbage family veggies. I grow kale, broccoli and edible podded peas since I love them, but don't grow many crops just for myself. I have in past years started spinach in the fall for early spring greens, and as with Defrost, it works well. I am warmer in the fall than she is, but I think colder in the spring - I am a slight bit further south but in a river valley so get late spring frosts. The spinach was fine, and under a row cover might start up earlier. When we had raised beds with weeping soaker hoses at a previous house, each bed had its own separate line that we could switch on. It was a while ago, but as I remember, it watered evenly and was easy to use. Thanks to all who contributed to the directions on herbs that work well in salt and proportions. Someone gave me some rosemary salt, and it's been lovely on popcorn, so I've been meaning to look up how to do it. I haven't spent a lot of time on this forum, though I have been growing organic veggies since I was in my teens. The recent posts listing in the sidebar has pulled me over here recently. Thanks to all for such great information!...See MoreIntro and questions about lettuce and corn
Comments (2)The 15" depth is good. I've never grown buttercrisp but if it's a leaf letuce, I harvest when I need a salad and it looks big enough to eat (smaller is usually better) if you're harvesting cut-and-come-again. Some types will also grow into a loose head (like green or red leaf lettuce from the store) and you can wait until it looks ready and cut the plant. With lettuce, if it gets too big or when the weather gets too warm and it bolts, it can get bitter. Sometimes you can soak the bitter out in cold water but not always. Just a heads-up :-) If you have access to good sweet corn and limited garden space, I wouldn't plant corn. Some varieties give one ear/stalk/season and some give two. The two foot bed width could limit corn success as it's generally advised to plant at least 4 deep for good pollination. Corn is wind-pollinated and if pollination is poor, your ears will be missing kernels. Sometimes missing more than they have. Lettuce can also be direct sown or if you prefer to transplant starts, it does well for me started on my covered front porch in a milk jug (wintersowing-style, even in spring or summer). If you like peas and/or beans, they tend do do pretty well without much trouble. Squash, cukes & zucchini may be a good place to start too though it depends how bad the bugs are where you live. Don't stress yourself out, gardening is sort of a learn-as-you-grow activity :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Tales of a Transplanted Gardener...See MoreKaren Pease
14 years agoarcatamarcia
14 years agojmpete
14 years agogamebird
14 years agotoogreen
14 years agommqchdygg
14 years agoalbert_135 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
14 years agoimstillatwork
14 years agonatevans20_yahoo_com
12 years agolauramalloy73
7 years agoDonna Majors
7 years ago
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