Add to favorites Examiner Bio

Leaf Lettuce: Romaine, Oakleaf, Lolla Rosa, oh my

Fall, winter, and spring are the perfect seasons to grow lettuce in Florida. Lettuce has few pests, comes in an array of colors and types such as heading and leaf varieties, and loves a constant supply of moisture. It is easy to grow and you don’t need much space to keep a constant supply going. There is a wide variety of salad greens to grow and this article will be devoted to lettuce.

 

Growing lettuce is easy and you don’t need much space.   In a space that is 2 feet by 2 feet you can grow approximately 16 plants!   Double this space and you can supply the whole family and keep the salad bowl filled. You will want to grow 10 to 12 plants per person. Lettuce does well when grown with a substantial amount of nitrogen. Using manures in your soil mix will ensure having enough nitrogen or you can add some Bone Meal for those wanting to go organic. Lettuce prefers cooler weather. It will bolt or go to seed when warmer weather encroaches. Grow it in full sun from October thru the beginning of May. There are varieties that are more heat tolerant than others and a little research will lead you to varieties you can grow thru the summer, although it will be a challenge. When is gets warm, grow on the east side of the house where it can have some morning sun but is shaded from scalding afternoon sun. 

 

The varieties to choose from are many and it grows easily from seed. There are basically two types to choose from and they are heading and non- heading or leaf lettuce. Heading types include Boston, Bibb, Iceberg, and Butterhead. Leaf types include Red Sails, Green Ice, Parris Island Cos [romaine], and Black Seeded Simpson. These types are readily found at your local garden center and seed racks.   If you want to be adventurous and want to try unusual varieties, visit an heirloom seed company online. For instance www.heirloomseeds.com offers 46 different varieties in all shapes and colors! Unusual varieties, to name a few, are: Speckled, a Mennonite heirloom, Red Romaine, Red Coral, Oakleaf, Lollo Rosa, Key Lime, Bronze Mignonette, and Australian Yellow Leaf. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? All these shapes and colors makes for a gorgeous salad bowl. Who wouldn’t be excited about eating all those luscious colors! Pick a few leaves from leaf types and leave the rest of the plant to keep producing. It will produce for a long time before it gets tall and bitter.

 

Lettuce likes a constant supply of moisture. Try growing in self watering containers for best results. They will supply constant levels of moisture providing you keep water in them. When weather becomes too hot, seeds become dormant and won’t germinate. When you provide some good soil and water, lettuce will grow with few pests.   It is a very rewarding crop to grow as it gives and gives.  You can grow it in the ground as well but keep in mind that it does need a constant supply of water or it turns bitter. A soaker hose on a timer would be a good idea. When growing in self-watering containers you have the option of putting them up higher at arms level by putting them on a table or platform. A waist high lettuce garden  was a joy and not having to bend all the way to the ground to harvest was pleasure and you get a great view of beautiful plants.

 

Growing lettuce in Florida is a rewarding experience. It grows with a minimum of care, has few pests, and keeps giving and giving until the heat of summer sets in.   With a little research, you have many varieties to choose from.

 

For More Info: www.heirloomseeds.com.   There is a book about making your own self-watering containers, Growboxes, on disc in pdf format available for $15 plus $2 shipping.  Workshops available to learn to build your own.   Contact srichmond2@cfl.rr.com for more info.