How to keep my lettuce going longer?

[Happy]

I'm lucky if my lettuce stays nice for 6 weeks after planting, and I know that some of you are able to keep it going for a longer time, even in December!

The only thing that I've been doing wrong (that I know of) is planting too many seeds per pod.
Can you share how you keep your lettuce going?

[Shawn]

Dec 21, 2018 21:17:01 GMT -5 Happy said:

I'm lucky if my lettuce stays nice for 6 weeks after planting, and I know that some of you are able to keep it going for a longer time, even in December!

The only thing that I've been doing wrong (that I know of) is planting too many seeds per pod.
Can you share how you keep your lettuce going?

I am still fairly new at lettuce.  But what I have learned is that I only place 2-3 seeds in a pod.  I am only using 4ml of nutes, maybe 5 at times.  I make sure the water is kept cool and not warm or hot.

At about 4 weeks if ready I will trim the lettuce.   Then again in another approx 2 weeks and the last about two weeks after that.  Then the project is done.

I only harvest 2 maybe three times.  The longer it goes I find that the bitter it tastes and the lettuce does not fill out as much.

Lastly, Make sure you do not harvest the lettuce on the day of or a couple days after nutes.  The leave can pick up the taste.  Best to Harvest right before feedings.

Wow, that was a lot for a fairly noob LOL

[mike]

Also, when you harvest, don't trim down too low. Leave at least 2" above the crown for the leaves to re-grow. That is the real key for additional harvests.

[Shawn]

See I learn something new every day!

[mike]

[Happy]

Interesting, Mike.
You planted them in (gasp!) soil? With an overhead light?

[mike]

No, that's a pic I found on line that illustrated what I was trying to point out. I won't grow in soil indoors anymore.

[sussudio]

With all the health alerts commercial lettuces are going through it feels so nice to be able to harvest your own without any worries .It’s gotten unusually Cold out here so making Chili salads. Hot homemade Chili on a fresh bed of lettuce, sprinkled with shredded cheeses, broken up tortilla chips and a dollop of sour cream.

[mike]

And with the AG, you can start harvesting lettuce in a month from planting the seeds.

[Shawn]

I just ordered some more types of Lettuces to try.  sussudio, we love "taco" salads.  I have even made "burger" ones too!

[mike]

I love a good taco salad, too. When I have it, I prefer to use pac choi instead of lettuce, it has more crunch. I don't put the pac choi in the pan, I just rinse it and mix it in on the plate.

Darn it, it's 5:30 am and I want taco salad now.

[MaryL]

I do like Shawn does, but even fewer, I only plant 1-2 seeds per pod.  My lettuces get unhappy when crowded.  Others have great success when planting denser, so maybe it’s my environment.

[KarenR]

Mike, which lettuce types do you cut back like this?

Romain types, leaf lettuces or both?

I am growing my first ever aerogarden kit and am growing the heirloom salad greens kit.  It is day 22 and they are beautiful, about 4.5" tall.  I'm  still not sure how tall to expect the plants to get before I start to harvest and I want to do the cut and come again method.  Any suggestions on height before harvest?

[mike]

Mostly romaine.

They say you can harvest after 4 weeks. I think 5 weeks is a better idea. I judge more on time than size. You will develop a feel for when the time is right. But remember, these are greens. Even if you make a mistake. they grow so fast you're back in business before you know it.

[cassy123]

Hi, my lettuce has been doing super well until this week when it began to turn yellow (some leaves) and kind of wilting. What's wrong? I started the garden on 27 days ago.Thanks

[Shawn]

I find that lettuce likes less nutrients then stated.  Also check the water temp with your finger.  If it feels warm or hot, throw a few ice cubes in the water.  Make sure the lights are not too close.  Also depending on where you live it can be the water itself.  You should not use softened water.

Before you add nutrients, do a dump of the water and refill with fresh cool/cold water.  Then add Nutrients.

More experienced lettuce growers can give more insight.

[clumsythumbs]

Jan 29, 2019 16:46:15 GMT -5 cassy123 said:

Hi, my lettuce has been doing super well until this week when it began to turn yellow (some leaves) and kind of wilting. What's wrong? I started the garden on 27 days ago.Thanks

Hi and welcome Cassy!  I wonder, have you harvested any of the lettuces yet?  Just wondering if you are on day 27 should be in the area of first harvest, so many the outer leaves are beyond their prime? This may be an incorrect supposition on my part; and more knowledgeable folks can correct or give better advice 

[cassy123]

Thanks for the help. The water is warmish. Bad leaves are on the outside. I began harvesting at day 18, a little from each pod (6) several times. I'm a little confused about how to harvest so would like some advice. On my other garden I cut off the top 2 inches, but didn't work well. I will try to leave more at the bottom in the future.

[Shawn]

Some people pinch leaves off several at a time.  Others like me top it off 2/3.   I am no expert.  Other members grow lots of lettuce.

But here is a before and after of one of my harvests of lettuce.

[clumsythumbs]

Dec 22, 2018 13:38:47 GMT -5 mike said:

Also, when you harvest, don't trim down too low. Leave at least 2" above the crown for the leaves to re-grow. That is the real key for additional harvests.

mike I am wondering why trimming at 2" and not at base?  I noticed AG recommends trimming outer leaves at the base to keep going longer.  I assume your experience has been different? Can you elaborate?  Thanks!!