Lettuce takes to cool weather, 65 F. and down. that holds for all types, but warmth is less apt to interfere with romain, and crisphead varieties. Begin sowing seeds indoors in flats three to four weeks before the last frost date, 1 to 2 inches apart. Don't allow sunlight to warm the soil above 75 degrees. Space transplants 8 to 12 inches apart. In the garden, you can begin direct sowing successive plantings as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil, putting it down as you go. Stop sowing when summer gets under way in earnest; once soil temperatures rise to 70 degrees or so, the seeds are programmed to wait for cool weather to return before germinating. To keep lettuce rows cooler, arrange them to take advantage of shade from taller crops, pole beans, tomatoes, or corn.
HARVESTING HEIRLOOM LETTUCE
Young leaves are the most tender and least apt to be bitter; and by continually picking the young leaves, you discourage plants from bolting as summer temperatures climb. Lettuce is at its best if picked early in the morning, when still cool and dewy from the night, or just before giving it a whirl in the salad spinner at the dinner table.
SAVING HEIRLOOM LETTUCE SEEDS
Because lettuce self-pollinates, you don't have to worry much about errant crossing. Yank any wild lettuces that happen to be lurking on the grounds to avoid their involvement; consult a wildflower field guide to identify them. After the yellow flowers have turned into fluffy, white seed heads, remove the seeds and take them indoors to dry.
66634 - SAVING SEEDS
The Gardener's Guide to Growing and Storing Vegetable and Flower Seeds
by Marc Rogers
Learn how to select, harvest, and store seeds from more that 100 vegetables and flowers commonly grown in home gardens.
192 pages, 6 x 9, paperback,
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$12.95
66918 - Soil Scoop
Called one of the "50 Favorite Gardening Products" by Organic Gardening, this general purpose digging tool has a patented spoon shaped blade with a sharply pointed tip and serrated edges. By using it with the point down - opposite of how you'd hold a trowel- it works like a natural extension of your hand. Use the Soil Scoop to dig holes, furrow, weed, cut roots, and open soil bags. Also great for pots & containers
