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Location

Message

Date Posted

Torrance, Ca.

When growing our winter lettuce is there any secrete to helping it from tasting bitter?? Some years its perfect and others its really bitter come harvest time ??

11/6/2012 11:07:37 AM

Bethlehem CT

Hi So Cal lettuce will get bitter as it starts to bolt. (goes to seed) In our climate that usually occurs when the weather is too hot. In cool weather it will stay tasty for much longer. A plant that is young and has grown quickly without a lot of stress will be your mildest. So keeping that in mind, you may want to start your harvest a little earlier. If your lettuce goes by and gets too bitter to eat, you can cut it down, leaving a couple inches on top. Most types will send out a nice little second harvest. I hope this helps.

11/6/2012 12:00:03 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Shade..and maturity

11/6/2012 1:23:22 PM

Ontario

I agree try some shade cloth and keep well watered .Also try to find some early maturing varities. Terry

11/6/2012 4:23:03 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Wow! great ideas!!! Is 50% shade cloth to much ??? That's all I have ;)

So, keep the soil wet throughout the growing season ? I was letting it dry out between watering.............

Thanks so much!

11/6/2012 4:54:46 PM