We had
previously harvested most of our lettuces, but the last plants didn’t come out
until May 30 – they lasted a long time considering the unusual spring
heat. I grow several varieties each year
and a few years ago, I substituted Slobolt green leave lettuce for Black Seeded
Simpson, the more traditional variety for this area.
I’m glad I
did as it lives up to its name and bears without bolting week’s beyond most
leaf lettuces. This is a shot I’d taken
earlier in the garden - they are the light green ones.
I’ve
mentioned this before, but an accidental discovery I made several years ago was
that leaf lettuces make pretty big plants and growing them as individuals
rather than in a bed works very well. It
takes less garden space and makes them easier to pick, water, and
cultivate. We just pick the individual outside leaves until seasonings end. This is a shot of one plant.
Unfortunately,
at seasons end, it all gets ready at the same time so I had to find a home for
some of it to prevent just tossing it on the compost pile.
I buy my
lettuce seeds from Seed Savers Exchange, where they have a large selection of
heirloom seeds, then grow individual transplants in the greenhouse.
All photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Have a great
day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
One year
ago: The Grand Vacation
Two years
ago: Let’s Have A Blogger Party
Larry
5/30/12 event date
5/30/12 event date
Lucky you. This is my first year of growing lettuce and it is about as easy as it gets. We do the slice two inches above the dirt method of harvesting and it just keeps growing back. So far we have had over 60 salads from one package of seeds.
ReplyDeleteI have a gardening question for you. When we were at your house you had an unusual (to me) set up for your tomatoes. Consider doing a blog post on them. I use those wire circles and they are not holding up. I got permission from my long suffering wife to rip out her flower bed and add more space for tomatoes next year so pondering my possibilities. Any suggestions?
Dave
Dave
Beautiful lettuce Larry. Wish I could have been on the "saving" end of that harvest. I joined a CSA and get my first shipment today. I'm hoping I get some lettuce that looks half that good.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous heads of lettuce, Larry! Can't believe I pay so much money for lettuce that doesn't even look half as good as that!!
ReplyDeleteIt got so hot here in Virginia the lettuce was short lived. Great tips on the picking :) Also, I've been off-line a few days and had not seen your header photo. Thanks for that - it made me smile!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how much food you grow, Larry. You must be very busy when planting season rolls around. The lettuce looks wonderful. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if you had a great lettuce crop. Few things taste better than home-grown lettuce.
ReplyDeleteWe buy black simpson at the farmers' market at Market Square, it's our favorite. We found it there by accident last year. The farmer did say it was one of the easiest to grow around here.
ReplyDelete