I am going to try and grow lettuce.

[ccharles000]

Today I am trying to grow lettuce does anyone have any tips.

[BarenakedLady]

1. I grow a mix

It's pretty easy. They like cooler weather though.

Here was my first harvest this year.



I've eaten a brazillion salads since then. Heh.

[Inchworm]

2. Hi you!

looks yummy!

When is din-din?

:D

:hug:

[Hugin]

7. Nice... Very nice!

I've always had good luck with spinach.

Except I can never get all of the grit off of it.

[BarenakedLady]

8. I need to plant the spinach really early

It never lasts long enough. Once it gets warm it goes to seed.

[Hugin]

9. I plant it several times in a season...

Love that baby spinach! :9

[Inchworm]

3. Be sure to check out the Garden Group

Hells of good information and smart folks in there.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=246

I'm a rookie ;)

:hi:

[Wcross]

4. Not now you aren't.

Early spring or in the fall. You will NOT be successful in July.

[ccharles000]

5. What if I plant in the shade.

[Wcross]

6. It will still be too hot in North Carolina.

Just wait for fall or next spring. I am not saying it won't "grow" but it won't be worth eating.
http://www.lettucegrowingtips.com/

[ccharles000]

10. Thanks I will wait.

[Gormy Cuss]

11. If you have A/C and a sunny window, you can try to grow it indoors for baby lettuce.

Outdoors try it in September. It grows pretty quickly and even if it doesn't have time to head up before a frost you can harvest it as is.

[Wcross]

12. On a side note- I watched an episode of "how its made" Hydroponic lettuce.

It was fascinating, a year round hydroponic lettuce production facility. They would float the lettuce in hydroponic systems with a greenhouse roof PLUS grow lights, the place was climate controlled to keep the temperature perfect for growing lettuce.
There was some talk about building one in middle Tennessee, I don't know if they are going ahead with the facility or not.

[triguy46]

13. Unless you are waaaaaaay north, consider waiting for a fall crop

Its summer and lettuce likes cool and moist. In fact, around here, a good planting method is to spread the seeds on a late spring snow and as it melts, they will absorb water and germinate on the ground when the snow is all gone. Not really July kind of planting. This time of year is OK for beans, a late corn crop, okra, squash, cucumbers. But this is peak harvest time, not necessarily good planting time.