Lettuce harvesting and bitterness

[progenito]

I had some rather bitter lettuce last night. It has been growing for 34 days now and this would be the fourth harvest by trimming the tops.

Apparently the lettuce leaves become more bitter as the plant ages, so I'm thinking it might be time to replant.

So, other lettuce growers, what do you do to harvest your lettuce? Do you trim it or just take the whole thing out?

[Shawn]

progenito ,  Usually you only harvest 3 maybe 4 times.  Also, you should never harvest lettuce or herb the day of or after feedings as the nutrients can often make lettuce bitter tasting.  The best time to harvest is a few days after to right before you feed again.  Also they like cold water so check it from time to time and add ice cubes if needed.

To answer your other question, I top the lettuce and have three harvests.  You can checkout the Garden Patches and look at individual posts from out members to see their pictures and how they trim.

I am sure others will post too

[MaryL]

It depends on how much I want at the time. If I only want a little bit, I’ll just trim off the biggest outer leaves.  Otherwise I give it a 2/3 buzz cut.

[Happy]

Hi progenito,

I don't think that I've ever kept lettuce long enough for 4 good haircuts. By that time, my lettuces are losing their looks, as well as their sweet taste.

When it looks like the time is right to terminate, I scalp the lettuce from the bottom (just above the pod), then start over again.
If I know that the time is coming, I start germinating new seeds in pods as described in aerogardenaddicts.com/thread/892/head-start-custom-seeds 

[Happy]

Sept 6, 2018 14:58:55 GMT -5 MaryL said:

It depends on how much I want at the time. If I only want a little bit, I’ll just trim off the biggest outer leaves.  Otherwise I give it a 2/3 buzz cut.

Mary, do you mean that you cut off the top 2/3 and leave only 1/3 remaining?
I didn't know that lettuce could survive that kind of haircut.
If so, I rejoice!

[ladyjane]

Mine are at day 30 now and continue to look good.  I have been pinching off the larger leaves to eat or feed to my birds and letting the small ones grow.  Its time again to do this tomorrow.  

[jerry]

My first lettuce grow, I did the 2/3 buzz cut.  I had three cuts before the plants were done (78 days).  This grow I'm only cutting off 1/3 at a time and the plants look healthier and going strong at day 59. 

Lettuce by fish6735, on Flickr

[progenito]

Sept 7, 2018 20:54:12 GMT -5 jerry said:

My first lettuce grow, I did the 2/3 buzz cut.  I had three cuts before the plants were done (78 days).  This grow I'm only cutting off 1/3 at a time and the plants look healthier and going strong at day 59. 

Lettuce by fish6735, on Flickr

Is the taste not extremely bitter though? Or do you put a lot of dressing :p

[MaryL]

Progenito did your lettuce become progressively more bitter, or did you find each harvest to be equally bitter?

[progenito]

Sept 8, 2018 21:09:53 GMT -5 MaryL said:

Progenito did your lettuce become progressively more bitter, or did you find each harvest to be equally bitter?

I'm afraid I don't know. The first couple of harvests I drenched in vinegar because I don't know how to make a proper salad

[Shawn]

I am sure you know by now

I will take my lettuce and veggies and add in a little oregano, garlic powder and a packet of sugar substitute.  Mix well.  Then I coat the greens with just enough oil to make them all shine, not too much.  Then add in the vinegar a little at a time until you get the amount you like.  As simple as it is, my great grandma showed me how to make it that way.

Am I the only one who favors bitter greens?    I love the taste.  I bet you are fans of iceberg.

If you don;t like the taste of loose leaf lettuce, then whatever you do, DON:T try Boc Choi!

[Shawn]

Sept 9, 2018 8:37:15 GMT -5 @cornne said:

Am I the only one who favors bitter greens?    I love the taste.  I bet you are fans of iceberg.

If you don;t like the taste of loose leaf lettuce, then whatever you do, DON:T try Boc Choi!

I love Romaine, Mark like all kinds, bitter or not.

[Happy]

Sept 9, 2018 4:15:55 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I will take my lettuce and veggies and add in a little oregano, garlic powder and a packet of sugar substitute.  Mix well.  Then I coat the greens with just enough oil to make them all shine, not too much.  Then add in the vinegar a little at a time until you get the amount you like.  As simple as it is, my great grandma showed me how to make it that way.

Sounds good, Shawn!
But do you use a whole packet of sugar substitute? For how big a salad?

[Happy]

Sept 9, 2018 8:37:15 GMT -5 @cornne said:

Am I the only one who favors bitter greens?    I love the taste.  I bet you are fans of iceberg.

If you don;t like the taste of loose leaf lettuce, then whatever you do, DON:T try Boc Choi!

I enjoy bitter greens only if they are well-sauteed with garlic and olive oil. Bok choi is particularly good this way, and loaded with nutrients.
I'll pass on the bitter endive unless it's in a salad with milder greens.

Iceberg??? No way.
I understand that it's exceedingly low in nutrients. I remember all of the iceberg salads I had in the past (smothered in high-fat dressing), thinking I was eating healthily.

[Shawn]

happy, it depends on the size of a salad.  I just sprinkle some on.  If it is a small salad bowl only a little, but you can add as needed.  I usually use a full one for a large bowl, sometimes 1-1/2 depending on what I throw in it.  I rarely measure

[progenito]

Sept 9, 2018 4:15:55 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I am sure you know by now

I will take my lettuce and veggies and add in a little oregano, garlic powder and a packet of sugar substitute.  Mix well.  Then I coat the greens with just enough oil to make them all shine, not too much.  Then add in the vinegar a little at a time until you get the amount you like.  As simple as it is, my great grandma showed me how to make it that way.

Admin's Grandma's Salad, or AGS. That's what I'll call it when I make it for my friends.

[progenito]

Sept 9, 2018 8:37:15 GMT -5 @cornne said:

Am I the only one who favors bitter greens?    I love the taste.  I bet you are fans of iceberg.

If you don;t like the taste of loose leaf lettuce, then whatever you do, DON:T try Boc Choi!

I don't mind terribly, especially with all the dressing. What I do mind is the sickly white sap that older plants get. Some say it can even make you goofy.