I'm thinking that I can safely harvest a few leaves by the middle of next week. I just love the taste of the buttercrunch lettuce. The heading lettuce isn't growing as obviously as the buttercrunch. Last year's didn't head either, but just formed spider-like leaves all around. I assume I can just cut off those leaves like the butter crunch, but I'll let them go a little longer before I do that.
Since I knew I was planting this second attempt later than I should, I chose to use transplants from the nursery rather than chance starting my own. I'm glad I did, because the ones I did plant on my own for a second attempt are still very scraggly and haven't gotten true leaves yet. I found this variety of red lettuce. I've never tried this kind before, but it seems to be growing well.
I'm thinking about purchasing one of those "lettuce mix" group of seeds for the spring. It may be nice to add some variety to the mix. I'm not too keen on the more spicy lettuce, however, so I'd need to find one with a rather mild mix. Any suggestions?
Territorial seeds has some nice mixes, and you can research the individual components also.
ReplyDeleteI love lettuce -- it's an easy-to-grow-your-own-transplants kind of crop. Of course, lights help. But by eating just outside leaves, you get lots of salad.
lettuce is my FAVORITE fall veggie, and I tend to lean toward the buttercrunch, too. However, romaine always outperforms the rest in my garden. Weird....
ReplyDeleteThings look great! Is that "Red Sails" lettuce in the 2nd picture? Can't tell with the light hitting it that way. If it isn't, you might want to try that one, it's beautiful and creamy soft! I have tried several Mesclun mixes, and they all seem to have many more of one type than the others, but overall I have had good luck with any mix and they make for interesting color additions to any salad. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your lettuce! They look beautiful! There were a few fall vegetables I wanted to sow this past August but never got around to it. I'm sorry to say that it never even occurred to me to buy transplants. You learn as you go I guess.
ReplyDeleteNice lettuce! I'm growing some Romaine lettuce that's growing quite weird - it's going very tall like a high-rise building when last time I grew it it grew outward. I'd like to try a lettuce mix too - thanks for the idea. I'll have to look for one of those packs!
ReplyDeleteI think it is red sails. I'm glad to hear it is going to be good. The red color makes it look a bit 'dirty' to me, so I was worried.
ReplyDeleteThe lettuce grew so fast here in the spring that I couldn't keep up with it. This is growing slower, but still growing now that the acorns are done, so I can't complain.
I tried growing Romain last year and this year; it was destroyed by the acorns and I pulled it to make room for the garlic, which by the way, is so far past 'a few inches' in heighth.
Hi Ribbit, hope I'm not too late to weigh in on this-I use the Burpee Mesclun mix-there isn't a bitter leaf in the bunch-they're all very mild. I'm like you-I'm not into spicy or bitter-ugh!
ReplyDeleteI got a blend called "heatwave" from Burpee this year. I don't like the spicy lettuce varieties either and this was a very nice mix. Also nice was the fact that I grew it all summer long and not one plant bolted. Of course, Kentucky is probably milder than your summers but it might extend your lettuce season in the spring a little longer.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, GA_peachy. I'm most certainly going to give that a try. Mine bolted pretty darn fast this spring, it seemed.
ReplyDeleteSweet, Sue! I'm just going to have to do a little of everything. I think it's time for me to branch out.
ReplyDeleteRenee's Garden has some very nice salad blends.
ReplyDeleteLook at that sun hitting the lettuce, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lettuce lady! But when are you gonna dive into making your own salad dressings?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dan.
ReplyDeleteAtrox, not quite yet. Let me get the lettuce to grow, first.
Some of the Mesclun mixes will say if they're sweet or spicy. I have one called Sweet Salad mix (or something like that) from Burpee.
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