Harvesting lettuce is relatively simple:
Leaf lettuce can be cut as soon as it is large enough to use, usually in 50 to 60 days from planting. Cutting every other plant at the ground will give remaining plants more space for growth.
Romaine and Butterhead lettuce can be harvested in about 60 to 70 days from planting.
Crisphead varieties take longer and should be harvested as soon as a head develops but before outer leaves turn brown.
If seed stalks appear, pick the lettuce immediately and store in the refrigerator to prevent bitterness. To store lettuce first wash it well by immersing in water and swishing it around. Place it in a colander and rinse then drip dry. Do this especially if you have used chemicals on your crop. When it is dry place it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator or wrap in paper towels and place in a bowl in the refrigerator. It keeps best at 32 degrees with 96% humidity. Avoid storing lettuce with apples, pears or bananas as they release a natural ripening agent that will cause brown spots and the leaves will decay quickly.
Lettuce isn’t without pests or diseases. Aphids love lettuce and usually appear under the leaves. Watch for these infestations (there will be little holes or brown spots on the leaves) and treat with insecticidal soap, mild dish detergent, or release ladybugs in the garden. Slugs and snails can ruin a crop overnight when seedlings are tender. Hand pick these pests for best results. Birds love tender leaves and can be deterred by covering your crop with mesh or wire. If started indoors there is relatively no problem. Tipburn causes lettuce to die back at the edge of the leaves. It is caused from a change in moisture between the soil and plant. Remove brown leave tissue and use the remaining leaf. Frequent light watering will prevent this disease. Foliage rot happens in hot or wet seasons. Air ventilation is the best remedy so don’t plant seeds too close.
If you have a lot of rabbits it is absolutely impossible to grow lettuce in the ground and still be able to harvest yourself. Usually the rabbits will beat you to it. Because of the shallow roots, lettuce is well suited to be grown in containers. Grow it in large tall pots that the rabbits can’t reach or in window boxes placed on a picnic table or on rails of the porch.
Iceberg lettuce is the most popular lettuce in the United States, but is the lowest in nutritional value and flavor as its best nutrient is water. Dark green leaves have the highest fiber, flavor and nutritional value. Most lettuce contains some carbohydrates, protein, Vitamin A from beta carotene and potassium. Lettuce (not iceberg) is a good source for Vitamin C, calcium, iron and copper.
With a little know how you can keep yourself with enough lettuce to last through the spring and early summer, then pick up and grow it again in the fall. There will only be a few months during the summer and all winter you’ll have to pay those high prices for lettuce in the grocery store.
Click here to see an article on types of lettuce and how to grow lettuce from seed
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