Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) is not usually a vegetable we think of growing in the middle of summer in key Virginia . It is typically thought of as a cool time of year crop , sensitive to high temperatures and dry soils . Lettuce tends to bolt in response to the stress of in high spirits temperature and the parting become bitter and elusive as the plant put its growing into flowering . However , you too can farm fresh boodle during the summertime by choosing the correct variety , paying attention to the planting location , using wraith or seasonal covering , and watering sufficiently . The following techniques will hopefully convince you to meet the heat challenge .
First , some basic :
Soil Requirements
Lettuce will grow in a wide range of stain , but choose a slimly acidic , loamy grunge , pH of 6.0 - 6.5 , that has been amended with organic matter . Lettuce is an excellent option for develop in raised beds or in container .
seminal fluid Facts and Planting
The optimal soil temperature for germination is 60 - 80 degrees F. accord to Clemson University research , lettuce seeds will not develop if the soil temperature is above 95 degrees F. Lettuce is easily grow by unmediated seeding but if your dirt temperature is over 90 degree F , you may want to consider one of two methods : 1 ) precool the soil by lacrimation and then handle the area with a board for a few day , or 2 ) germinate seeds indoors in a flatcar away from the warmth and then transplant the seedlings outdoors . Either way , be sure to establish seeds no deeply that 1/8 - 1/4″ since many eccentric of lettuce need light to germinate . Or , just “ detritus ” the seeds with fine soil or compost , and then pack down with a roue conclusion so that the seeds make good soil contact . Keep the seedbed moist and thin the seedling as necessary .
Choose a planting site that provides shade because too much sun is a trouble during the heat of summertime . Here are some technique to try :
Selecting Varieties
Lettuce is a fast - originate crop with variety typically senesce within 30 - 60 days . Sowing little amounts every 7 - 14 day is the commend summer planting schedule that will provide a continuous harvest . This is also called succession planting . Selecting miscellanea with heat - margin and slow - bolting is one of the key to achiever .
In general , there are four major category of lolly :
Heading or crisphead type are in general adapted to northerly conditions and require the most care . They are very heat - sensitive and would not be my choice for summer plantings . If you importune , VA Tech lists(VCE Publication 426 - 480)‘Summer - Time ’ as a heat - tolerant , heading lettuce .
Cos or Romaine simoleons has longsighted , narrow leaves with an just increment riding habit forming unaffixed , elongated head , firmer than loose - leafage lettuce , with a crispy , center rib . Parris Island cos ( 29 - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. ) , and Jericho ( 60 - days ) are considered two good heat - liberal choices in this category .
Butterhead wampum is a soft , tender , and loose - heading case that is part into two subgroups : Boston and bibb . Bibb lettuces are smaller and dark green than the Boston type . All have a delicate , sweet , buttery flavor . Bibb lettuce will train bitterness if temperature are above 95 point F. Three in force choices are : Buttercrunch ( 55 - days ) , a small , tight - maturing , dark immature bibb lettuce ; Tom Thumb , ( 35 - 50 - days ) an easy , tight - growing miniature form of butterhead ; and Red Cross ( 48d ) , a heat- tolerant , red butterhead .
Loose - foliage kale , with either green or scarlet leaves , is the most commonly grown moolah . Leaves may be bland , round , wrinkled , serrated or curled . The Summercrisp / Batavia lettuces are heat - large-minded plants that ab initio are undefended like loose - leaf , but then grow to a more compact cluster or head . Good choices in this class : Muir ( 50 - daytime ) is extremely warmth - tolerant ; Nevada ( 48 - days ) has great relish and stay mild ; Sierra ( 45 - days ) is a slue - and - come - again type with tall , open head , compact , bright green - with - red - tinged leaves , and a sugared and nutty flavor ; Simpson Elite ( 48 day ) is a loose - leaf type that is also a big summertime selection similar to Black Seeded Simpson but is dull - bolting and more heat energy - tolerant .
Butterhead Lettuce Loose - leaf Lettuce
Care / Cultural Practices
Fertilizing : integrated compost and good deal of organic matter into the ground prior to planting . In general , the recommendation is to use 5 - 10 - 10 at 3 pound per 100 square understructure before planting . Although kale has low fertility needs , it does need some nitrogen for good gullible foliage growth . utilize a balanced starter fertilizer or compost initially , and then side - wearing apparel with compost Camellia sinensis or fertilizer at least once during the growing time of year . Of naturally , the amount of plant food bet on your soil type , with sandy soils needing the most .
lacrimation : The most critical time period for wet is during germination and plant organization . Water often during the first 2 weeks to keep the seedbed moist but not waterlogged . A light sprinkling of leaf compost , mulch , or drinking straw will help to conserve wet . retain to water lettuce once launch every 4 - 5 days to keep the flora goodly and producing . Clemson Extension recommends lacrimation sufficiently enough to drizzle the grease to a astuteness of 4 - 6 inch . Lettuce grown in containers or raised beds will need to be irrigate more frequently . Over - watering in Lucius Clay soils can lead to disease payoff , so be careful . water supply too soon in the twenty-four hours so that foliage has metre to dry before darkness .
weed : Keep your bed weed - free , which will avoid water competition and avail manage insects . Lettuce is shallow - rooted so be careful to forestall antecedent injury . Tight industrial plant spatial arrangement will help flora to quickly shade off the dirt and help suppress green goddess .
dirt ball and Diseases : The most common pests are aphids , flea beetles , slugs , cutworm and leafhoppers .
The most mutual disease include dampening - off , Bottom rot disease , and aster - yellows , which is distribute by leafhopper . Both dirt ball and diseases incline to be controlled by using ethnic garden exercise . You may view using insecticidal soap or horticultural oils , but be indisputable to read the label .
In summary , you could grow wampum in the summer heat by :
Thanks for stop by The Garden Shed . We hope you visit us again next month .
Sources :
“ Lettuce ” , University of Georgia Extension , Publication 1312,http://www.clemson.edu / extension / hgic / plants / vegetables / crops / hgic1312.html
“ Vegetable Profiles : Lettuce , ” University of Maryland Extension , https://extension.umd.edu / growit / veggie - profile - lettuce
“ Home Garden Lettuce ” , University of Georgia Extension , Publication C1018,http://extension.uga.edu / publication / detail.cfm?number = C1018
“ vegetable Recommended for Virginia ” , Virginia Cooperative Extension , Publication 426 - 480,https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426 - 480/426 - 480.html
The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast ( Regional Vegetable Gardening Series ) by Ira Wallace , 2013
