lettuce-lactuca sativa

shade-water-pH 6.0-7.0

sow 1/2"-1/4" in rich loose well drained soil

for in-depth soil, soil food and watering go to www.intertruth.name

• easy to grow and harvest
• can grow all year round
• grow in your garden, flower bed or container
• sunflower family-asteraceae
• store seeds in cool dark dry place

Soil:

nitrogen rich and well-composted humus, likes manure and moisture add alittle bit of sand in the spring to keep the soil drained well

• Please go to www.intertruth.name for soil building, pH and soil feeding techniques

Seed:

• sow seeds february to early august in 14 day increments for continuous growth
• cover with soil and label
• germinates at 60-70 degrees F.
• many gardeners thin out lettuce I do not, I just let rows grow unless I am growing a head of lettuce
• harvest outer larger leaves and let inner leaves develop
• or cut off the whole head about an inch from the top soil and let it resprout
• IRISH EYES GARDEN SEEDS is my choice for seeds, they show in 7 days

water:

keep your lettuce watered but too much water and you will get mildew

companion plants: cucumbers, strawberries, carrots, cabbages, beetroot, radishes

bolting:

keep the reaching flowering tops of the lettuce cut so it will not bolt. Hot weather can cause leafy vegetables to sprout flowers and bolt

varieties:

crisphead (iceberg); romaine (cos), paris island cos (all climates) (red leaf, red speckle); butterhead (boston); mesclun, lolla rossa (cold tolerant), simpson; ithaca, great lakes, vanguard, summer bib (heat tolerant), tango (cold tolerant), sierra, winter density (cold tolerant), rouge d' hiver (cold tolerant); chicory; watercress; endive;

NOTE: MI on a variety means mosaic resistant.

pests:

• to keep slugs out of your lettuce and garden, surround your garden with pulverized oyster shells
• to keep your plants healthy see www.intertruth.name for my special harmless neem oil recipe for aphids, and other pests

bibliography:

GOLDEN GATE GARDENING - PAM PEIRCE

GROWING VEGETABLES & HERBS - MITCHELL BEAZLEY

organic GARDENING - Geoff Hamilton

RODALE'S Ultimate Encyclopedia of ORGANIC GARDENING - Rodale

THE GARDEN PRIMER - BARBARA DAMROSCH

A-Z for COMPANION PLANTING - PAMELA ALLARDICE