Just cut what you need Leaf lettuce will keep growing till it gets too hot.
SpermKiller
Yes, you can just cut off the outer leaves as you need them and let the middle ones intact so that the lettuces will continue to grow.
manyamile
You can harvest full or baby heads. If you cut above the growth plate, you can get a second full cut from the plant but as the weather warms, if you’re not managing field heat on them, the second cut won’t be as flavorful.
You can also harvest the outer leaves as you go, taking what you need for your salad. You can continue that until the plant begins to bolt.
I typically harvest the entire plant but sow several flats of lettuce each week into late June / early July to insure I have a constant supply.
ImagineWorldPeace3
Off to a great start. I just dusted my lettuce with GE and now plant to go around the bases with wood ash. This helps prevent pill bugs and slugs from getting the beautiful leaves.
Take off the big leaves and let the plant continue to grow. In the future you may want to consider spacing your plants farther apart so they have room to grow. Lettuce doesn’t like to be crowded.
topramen_is_timeless
Why do you have your drip line zip tied to a pvc pipe? Asking because I am also a new gardener.
8 Comments
Just cut what you need
Leaf lettuce will keep growing till it gets too hot.
Yes, you can just cut off the outer leaves as you need them and let the middle ones intact so that the lettuces will continue to grow.
You can harvest full or baby heads. If you cut above the growth plate, you can get a second full cut from the plant but as the weather warms, if you’re not managing field heat on them, the second cut won’t be as flavorful.
You can also harvest the outer leaves as you go, taking what you need for your salad. You can continue that until the plant begins to bolt.
I typically harvest the entire plant but sow several flats of lettuce each week into late June / early July to insure I have a constant supply.
Off to a great start. I just dusted my lettuce with GE and now plant to go around the bases with wood ash. This helps prevent pill bugs and slugs from getting the beautiful leaves.
[Here’s a quick video on 3 ways to harvest](https://youtu.be/bjcUhG-ATmI?si=nHmDVqiRIhckYAm1)
The dollar weed is also edible!
Take off the big leaves and let the plant continue to grow. In the future you may want to consider spacing your plants farther apart so they have room to grow. Lettuce doesn’t like to be crowded.
Why do you have your drip line zip tied to a pvc pipe? Asking because I am also a new gardener.