I checked the Target link and it said 10 ft long. You could buy or make the hoops separately and cover with a floating row cover, which should let enough light in, uncovering it in daytime if you prefer (since the deer are generally not troublesome until late afternoon & night). I wonder if window-screen fabric would be soft enough to drape and if it would let in enough light? I have a "scare-crow" motion activated water sprinkler but don't know if it would cover 23ft. We finally built a 8ft fence around the garden. We also fed the deer so much other good stuff we had 30 to 40 in the yard at a time during the bleak months. Expensive "pets". Good luck.

I have planted lettuce for three or four years now.Lettuce does need light to germinate, so do not burry the seeds. I have to keep reminding myself of that. I will sprinkle a little dirt/compost over the seeds. I am always a afraid birds with clean them out. I planted red sails and black jack. Both green and red. I liked the black jack better. Not from a taste stand point. But during and post harvest the black jack seemed to hold up better. The red sail seemed to wilt very quickly.

Varietal differences plus the growing methods can't really be compared. Soil in a window box will dry out 100x faster than the commercial varieties grown in the ground. Lettuce is a water hog since it is 90% water to begin with. But that soil moisture level must be consistent and that is impossible to do in a windowbox. Water it well with cold water 1 hour before harvesting it for the most crispness the particular variety will allow. Also don't let the leaves get too big/old before harvesting. Dave

if you've already done your raised beds you have the hard part done. just buy a packet of seeds or a 6 pack of plants (nurseries & garden centers should have). you can start them now through about february, but you'll get more over time by doing it now. follow the instructions on the packet for the seeds or plant the plugs. it's really that easy. you don't need to worry with rows if you don't want, and you can even make designs with the red and green types. don't cover lettuce seeds with dirt- they need light to germinate. you may want to lightly cover with sheer fabric or reemay/row cover(also at the garden centers) to keep the birds from snacking on your babies or seed. reemay will also extend the harvest as it gets colder, but it isn't necessary. the lettuce will lift it as it grows, or you can prop it up with sticks. keep it reasonably moist but not soggy & you'll quickly see germination if the seed is good. the seed lasts for a few yrs if kept dry and reasonably cool. seed is a much more economical way to do lettuce, but if you're anxious for plants, you could try a few 6 packs and seed also, so you get the lettuce at harvestable size sooner, then more as the seedlings in turn get big enough to harvest. grow as much as you have room for- it's addictive and easy to give away if you get too much. for one person, i'd plant at least a 4'x 4' area. more if you really eat a lot of salads. lettuce grows fast in the right conditions- cool & moist. you can pick at most any size. some mixes are made specifically to harvest tiny (usually called mesclun or cut & come again). as the lettuce bolts, typically as it gets hot in spring, it will get bitter. just stop eating it when it's too bitter for you. really, starting with lettuce is one of the easiest veggies you can possibly do. oh, and don't worry with the headig types- go for looseleaf. some nice companions to winter lettuce are radishes (also super easy from seed) and green onions. buy a bag of the little onions & plant them, and you'll have green onions in about 6 weeks. or so. nothing's better with a steamy bowl of soup & fresh bread on a winter day. spinach is similar to lettuce- you space it out a bit more, is all, which is easy since the seed's bigger. mmm mm. enjoy! don't be afraid- just dig in! tammy