My first lettuce of 2009. Who else grows their own?
By Colmuc
@Colmuc (707)
May 15, 2009 12:10pm CST
I have just eaten a salad made up of spring onions, chives, parsley and the first lettuce leaves all grown on my balcony. Exactly 4 weeks ago today I planted out some "Littles Gems" which do not yet have firm hearts and some "Lollo Rosso" which do not heart but give a continuous supply of tasty red/brown leaves over several weeks.
It was the Lollo Rosso that I used today. I have two other types of lettuce, Sherwood and Mini Iceberg which are still very small. All my plants are looking good. I have three different kinds of cucumbers, a variety of peppers and basilikum in addition to the spring onions, chives and parsley. Next week I will buy some tomato plants. I am lucky that I have a big balcony on my flat but even in a small window box it is possible to grow a selection of salad plants. Free of chemicals, no annoying slugs or snails and absolutely fresh! Does anybody else grow their own salad? What do you find grows best?. See the picture of my lettuce. You could also very easily have the same.
2 people like this
3 responses
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
15 May 09
Nice looking plants! I haven't tried lettuce here in Oklahoma yet. I think it's too hot and dry during the summer for something with such delicate leaves.
What I'm going to try this year is growing upside-down tomato plants. I bought buckets with handles for doing that. So far, I've made small holes in the bottom of the bucket, filled it with potting soil and put a seedling in the whole. I turned the bucket upside down (with a tray keeping the soil in), so the seedling is sticking up from the bottom, so to speak. In a couple of weeks when the roots have grown sufficiently, I will turn the bucket right-side up and hang it. The tomato plant will be hanging upside down to grow, but I've heard it works great. Because gravity keeps moisture flowing down into the plant, I've been told you get big, juicy tomatoes....we shall see.
@Colmuc (707)
•
15 May 09
Hi catdla, Please post a picture once the plants begin to fruit.
Be careful when you put another plant under them because if the water drops on the leaves in strong sunlight they will get damaged, Maybe a cucumber that you can train off to the side would be a possibility.
1 person likes this
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
15 May 09
Lettuce is one of the things I have not yet planted. My husband and I have recently started what I call our 'ghetto garden'. We have planted a couple of things in some pots and window boxes. We dont have a lot of yard space, so that was easier than making a garden.
Right now we have pumpkins, honeydew, and cantalope coming up. Hopefully the zucchini, pepper, and beans sprout soon. They were planted a little bit later. This is the first year that we have done a garden like this. I cant wait to harvest some of the goods!
We talked about doing lettuce. It isnt something I have ever grown before. We also have rabbits in the neighborhood, so I was afraid that we wouldnt actually get to eat any. It sounds pretty easy to grow, though, as long as we can keep the rabbits away.
Your lettuce looks great! Your whole garden sounds fantastic. I really think more people should do this!
@Colmuc (707)
•
15 May 09
Hi Derlila, the things I mentioned here are all grown on my balcony.
I do have a large garden also where I grow a lot of fruit and vegetables. The lettuce varieties I quoted would be ideal for a window box or container.
Rabbits are certainly a problem. If they came in my garden I would design a trap that
closed when they came near the lettuce. I would willingly sacrifice a few lettuce for the chance of a roast rabbit dinner.
I hope you are successful and enjoy a lot of good fresh vegetables.
1 person likes this
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
15 May 09
The prospect of a roast rabbit dinner does sound quite delicious! I might have to think about that! My husband and I have actually talked about raising rabbits for food when we have more space in the future. Why not start with the rabbit dinners now! Now you have got me thinking... 
