Lettuce
Freshly harvested home-grown lettuce
makes salads and sandwiches much more appetizing.
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Requirements to Grow Lettuce
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It is generally considered that lettuce
needs an open sunny position, but during the summer they can be grown
in as little as half a day's sunshine. They need a limey soil,
preferably with a little dressing of well-rotted compost or animal
manure dug in prior to planting.
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Planting time for Growing Lettuce
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Can be sown throughout the year providing
the right varieties are chosen. Imperial 615 and Triumph only grow well
through the cooler months; Great Lakes types, Valverdie and Yadesdale,
through the warmer ones.
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Small loose-hearting types such as
Mignonette and Butterhead are reliable at any time of the year and
though they may not heart well all but the outer foliage is pleasantly
flavored and textured. Imperial 847, a fine-textured lettuce for sowing
most of the year, does not heart as reliably during hot weather as
Great Lakes types. Different varieties vary in performance from
district to district.
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For example, all but Original Strain
Great Lakes may be prone to a condition known as 'sliming' in summer.
Check with your local supplier or consult the seed packet.
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Cultivation for Lettuce
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To get a good heart lettuce it should be
sown quickly without setback. Thin out the unwanted seedlings as early
and as carefully as possible. Keep lettuces growing rapidly by not
allowing more than the surface soil to dry out and by feeding
moderately, but constantly, with complete water-soluble plant foods at
the recommended strength as frequently as once per week. Avoid any more
than light surface scuffling as deep cultivation usually destroys
surface roots and results in growth check. Mulch the surface with
fibrous compost not only for soil improvement and moisture conservation
but because it keeps soil cool which is the way lettuce likes it.
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Special problems
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Guard against slugs and snails, the main
enemies of lettuce. On some areas birds can be a problem. Some
gardeners combat this problem by stretching black cotton about 20 cm
above the plants but the easiest and best protection against birds and
beasts is to make half-cylinder or tunnel shapes of wire netting to
cover the rows. These are easily transferred as needed.
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