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| Undercover Lettuce (background) and radishes (foreground). |
Last week it was quite hot -- 96 degrees in the daytime, and my spring lettuce is just about perfect. This is, of course another lesson in Murphy's Law, because when it is that hot it becomes very common for lettuce to turn bitter, and even bolt prematurely.
Luckily last year I bought some white shade cloth, so this gave me the chance to try it out. In addition to providing shade, it also reflects quite a bit of light, making the lettuce cooler and not as stressed. I also made sure I watered plentifully, in order to keep the roots (and therefore the leaves) as hydrated as possible.
This week we are back to seasonal temperatures (the 70s) and so my lettuce and I survived the first heat wave of the season. I take my lettuce crop very seriously, as it gets too hot to grow it here in summer. For us, therefore, it's a fall, winter, and spring treat, and I'm always aware when "lettuce season" (which is in reality three seasons) is coming to an end. I miss those salads in the summer, but there will be other pleasures once the hot weather really takes hold, like cucumbers, squash and of course tomatoes.
Even from across the country, our growing 'laws' seem to remain the same. Too hot to grow lettuce but I am going to grow some indoors this year.
ReplyDeleteHmm, DFW, that's an interesting idea. I sure do miss having it around to pick in the height of summer, when a cool salad sounds perfect. Great idea! You may have inspired me to try, too!
DeleteWhat a good idea. I once heard the key to successful gardening isn't to have a plan, but to plan on making another plan. Haha certainly seems to be the case. You work hard for those salads! And I'm glad it usually works out. Good, fresh lettuce is such a luxury. My favorite thing in the world is a Caesar salad but I so rarely have it because the lettuce in our grocery stores is always surprisingly gross looking.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the lettuce in the stores is absolutely awful, and is usually already wilted by the time it gets there. Head lettuce is much better, but I love mixed greens and they only come bagged. Yup, it's fresh or nothing for me too!
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