The usual term is "consistent soil moisture levels", not "consistent watering". Very different things. ;) It means keep the soil the roots are growing in slightly moist all the time rather than dry/wet/dry/wet etc. That way they have a consistent source of water. But it doesn't mean soaked or drenched, just damp. And it isn't just lettuce but most all garden vegetables. The easiest way is to use a drip irrigation system set on an auto timer so that several times a day the plants receive a small amount of slowly delivered water. Dave

Hi and welcome to the forum! FFO means first flower out (first to bloom in the season). I am so sorry to hear of your losses. If you will send me an e-mail, I will send you a long and very detailed reply regarding seed-starting and ways to mark your crosses, as well as how to protect your seedlings. My e-mail address is posted here if you click on my name. Nancy

Thanks everyone for the input. I sprayed them both with Murphys Oil soap diluted with water - hope that was the right thing to do. My county extension service said the treatment for mites was to spray with "horticultural soap," which I could buy at Lowe's or make my own. So I used Murphy's since I had read about others' using it. I have nothing to lose since they are quickly on their way out. I thought mites was a problem that the west coast/dry climates had to deal with and that it was not an issue in an extremely humid environment! Well, we'll see what happens. If I can salvage just one of them I will be happy. Oh, I think I could see the tiniest of specks on the undersides of leaves which came off when sprayed. If they were mites, they were really hard to see (didn't have a strong magnifying glass). And I see webs all the time, but thought thay was just spiders since they're everywhere. (I still wonder if there will be a worm in the tomato when I cut it open!) :-)

It looks like an asparagus fern (which is really a member of the Lily family). If there's no other plant nearby that could be dropping sap onto the 'leaves' then - well, I'd be suspicious and get some just-warm water and a paper towel and sponge it off. I'd be looking for small creatures along the stems or under the leaves, too. Quickest remedy is - squish. I'd also ease up on the watering over winter.