Lettuce ( also known as salad putting surface ) is a leafy green vegetable consumed in sandwich fillings and salads . It is a microgreen vegetable with a salutary source of vitamin A and C. Growing scratch is not a back - breaking process . Therefore , one can effortlessly fill their yard with this economical crispy leafy vegetable without hassle .
Moreover , for tyro , this vegetable is a great elbow room to get commence with horticulture . harvest leaf lettuce is easy peasy , even for first - timers . The principal matter that should be kept in nous is how and when to glean the lettuce works .
The lettuce plant is a cool conditions crop that should be harvested when the temperatures are more relaxed . If it ’s too blistering during its harvesting , the lettuce seeds will wilt and not taste good . Additionally , the harvest time timing is critical to see to it that the lettuce is at its well .
Harvesting lettuce is an integral part of the growing process as it earmark you to square off when the lolly is ready to be eat . This simple-minded process can be done by hand or machinery . retrieve , at the time of harvest time , try not to damage the plant .
There are folio pelf miscellanea , each with their own harvesting time and methods that must be apply to harvest them in good order . So , you involve to learn these basic techniques to aid you glean dissimilar lettuces at their good clock time .
Please go through this clause , in which we have compiled some stress - destitute tips that will surely level up your skill in glean intelligent dinero in the preferred continuance .
So , now without much hustle , let ’s get into the detail .
When Should I Harvest Lettuce?
It is good to glean leafage lettuce when its leaves are crisp and full - sized , 4 inches improbable . But , If you wait too long to glean , the leaves will become bitter , and the plant will bolt ( go to ejaculate ) .
you may note that the lucre works is bolt when it starts to bring forth a flower stalk . Moreover , to extend the harvest home season , sow seeds every two weeks from early spring till mid - summer .
Lettuce is acool weather condition crop , so it will not significantly do well in hot summer atmospheric condition if the temperature rises above 80 degree Fahrenheit . Therefore , you have to sow seeds in late summertime for a crepuscle craw in the affectionate mood .
How To Harvest Lettuce?
To glean lettuce , all you call for is indispensable tools and little patience . Also , be sure to sanitize the tools properly before harvesting .
ab initio , cut the lettuce leaves off the base of the plant with a knifelike knife or pair of scissors , making indisputable to provide a routine of steam sequester . Then cautiously peel off the outer leaves until you reach the tender inner leaves . Once done with this , slice and shoot the leaves into pieces and add them to your fresh salad to savour its benefits .
If you require to put in your lettuce for later use , wash away it thoroughly before place it in a plastic traveling bag or container . Lettuce will keep well in the electric refrigerator for up to a week after harvest .
So sense costless to reap as much as you need at once for salad . Just remember to enjoy it while it ’s fresh for the best flavor .
Harvesting Lettuce By Type
There are two main types of lettuce : foliage lettuce and head wampum . Lettuce microgreen , cos or romaine lettuce , and loose leafage sugar are branches of the folio lettuce . On the other hand , crisphead shekels , butterhead bread , and stem lettucehave add up under the banner of head dinero .
Leaf sugar is more rife in home garden space , while head clams is more common in commercial production . Each case has its method of harvesting . Before planting cabbage , check that to be well aware of its character and nature so you’re able to free yourself from any doubtfulness at the sentence of harvest home .
1. Lettuce Microgreens
The process of harvesting lettuce microgreens is comparatively easy . Lettuce microgreens are usually quick to reap about 2 - 3 week after planting . You will have it off they are ready when the farewell are fully grown and the stems are about 4 column inch improbable .
To harvest , cut the stalk ½ inch above the grime demarcation using a sharp knife or pair of scissors . Be sure to go away some of the plant and leaves behind so the plant can continue to mature shekels .
Once you have harvested your microgreens , you’re able to store them in the fridge for later use . They will ride out fresh for about a week .
2.Cos Lettuce
The unspoilt time to reap cos bread or romaine lettuce is between 7 to 9 week after they are plant , and make certain to harvest them in the sunrise . Its lettuce with crispy leaves must be harvested above the soil surface . Cos lettuce is ready to glean when it strain 6 to 8 inches with the toilsome operose headway and voluptuous leaves .
what is more , secure to cut the leaves 1 column inch above the soil , and if your plant is on the end of the road , you may cut deep down the intact lettuce works during harvest home . After that , rinse off the lettuce in cold water .
However , your cos dough leave will stay bracing for seven days following harvest time . So , make trusted to enjoy this veggie at its peak of novelty for the best taste and grain .
3.Loose Leaf Lettuce
It ’s easy to bury about your wanton folio dough once it ’s constitute because it has an blanket harvest window . on the loose leaf diversity include ; babe lettuce that require 25 days to reap completely and mature leaves lettuce that is deeply green in color and harvest in 50 - 60 days . So , if you want to enjoy crisp loose folio dough all time of year long , set up the calendar before harvest .
Loose folio dinero can be harvested several time in a season . you’re able to pop nibble up the lettuce when they reach about 4 to 6 inches in distance . Further , to draw lettuce , use keen scissors to cut flawlessly from the plant . Also , glean 1 to 2 column inch above the land line .
Remember , loose - folio lucre can be reap again in 2 - 3 weeks . For best results , it is recommend to re - sow in its seeds in the ground to grow curt , fresh - tasting vernal foliage promptly .
Further , do n’t waitress too recollective to harvest your lettuce again . Once it reaches 4 inches tall , harvest it fittingly ; otherwise , there ’s a chance that the leaves may start to yellow or wilt . Moreover , they wo n’t remain as crispy or tasty .
4.Crisphead Lettuce
Crisphead clams or iceberg dinero is a type of bread that is typically harvested a single metre when it is to the full ripe . This lettuce is not idealistic for multiple harvests . This means that the leaves should be kinky , and the head will be reasonably big when harvest home . reckon on the motley , crisphead or iceberg lettuce can take anywhere from 45 to 80 days to suppurate .
To harvest iceberg lettuce , start by snub the shuck about 2 inches above the soil cable . Then contract or tear the kayoed leaves off of the stalk . Crisphead pelf is difficult to harvest due to its buddy-buddy stems , so be careful not to damage the plant during harvest .
Once all the folio are removed , you may either discard the whole plant or replant it in another location . Also , crop icebergs right away when your surrounding weather condition sour hot . By doing so , you may protect lettuce from bolting .
5.Butterhead Lettuce
Butterhead lettuce is far-famed for its pantry taste and voluptuous grain . When harvesting butterhead lettuce , focus on the conditions and the size of it of the head . Hot weather will cause the pelf to bolt or ejaculate , so it is good to harvest in the cooler months .
Its heads should be about 6 - 8 inches in diameter . If they are much larger , they may be rough and acerbic . Smaller head may not have had a hazard to develop taste .
Butterhead lucre is quick to harvest within the time limit of 45 to 75 days after its plantation with 7 - 14 inch in height , passably out leaves , and cup shape . Further , if the conditions ’s too spicy , you may need to harvest rather to prevent bolting .
For harvest home head lettuce , use a acute knife or garden shears to cut the head of kale at the base , and it ’s helpful to have a bucket or travelling bag to conduct the lettuce in . Be sure to pull up stakes some of the stems so the veg can regrow . Butterhead leaf can be keep up for a few days but are comfortably eaten smart .
6.Stem Lettuce
Stem lettuce , celtuce lettuce , or asparagus lettuce , whatever you want to name it , is more valued than other lettuce because of its stem . root word lettuce is relatively easy to grow and care for and can be harvested in less sentence .
Choose a fix with lineal sunlight and well - draining soil to grow this lettuce . Once you have find the perfect spot , you could seed the seeds direct in the earth for about six weeks . After that , when the plant is ready to harvest , cut the cum stalk about ¼ inches above the dirt at the base and be heedful not to harm the works .
However , this veggie can reap only when it reaches 8 - 14 inch . Further , Lactuca sativa asparagina clams can be harvest multiple times in its growing season . So you could savor your homegrown shank lettuce anytime !
Will Lettuce Regrow After Cutting?
Yes , lettuce will regrow after cut . This is because when you write out simoleons , only the leave are removed . Therefore , the roots and stem remain intact , allow the plant to regrow young leaves . However , it is essential to note that not all lettuce varieties will regrow as well . Some varieties may produce fewer leaves or take longer to regrow .
So , if you require a never - ending supply of novel pelf , it is worth search to find a salmagundi that will regrow well for you . Thus , to several landscapers , cos lettuce , celtuce or stem lettuce , and butterhead lucre are worthy lettuces that will regrow in less fourth dimension with a plentiful supply . Yet , other bread on the tilt may disappoint you with the results .
How Many Times Can You Harvest Lettuce?
you may harvest pelf around 4 to 5 sentence before the plant life starts to wither . After that , you will require to replant in gild to keep a continuous harvesting .
When Lettuce Bolts
Lettuce is a cool season harvest , and one of the first sign that summer heat is on its fashion is when the lettuce come out to bolt . Bolting occur when a plant produce a flower stalk in an effort to grow seeds . The termination is toughened , bitter dinero leaves that are not adept for consumption .
Further , if your shekels has already started tobolt , there is not much you’re able to do . you may cut off the flower still hunt , which may cause the entire plant to put its energy into producing newfangled leaves . However , it ’s probably good to reap only when you may start fresh with a new crop of boodle .
How Do I Stop My Lettuce From Bolting?
If you are trying to keep your boodle safe from run off , consider do the following that will help you prevent it from run off .
With a bit of vigilance , you could enjoy homegrown leafy viridity and fresh salads all class round .
Final Thoughts
Harvesting lettuce is something anyone can do , and it ’s also found suitable to get start in gardening . But think , if there are hot conditions conditions alfresco and you want to constitute clams , try on planting it indoors instead .
Finally , you should have a go at it the ripe sentence for harvest home lettuce . Then , do follow the detailed steps draft in this article to receive desire outcomes .
Now that you have learned how to reap lettuce check that to try it presently !
May you enjoy your yummy salad arena before long from your own harvested gelt !
Thanks for reading !
