Growing Lettuce

[EllenFrasier]

We are planning on growing some veges in containers this year. I've heard that lettuce grows well in containers. When lettuce is picked, does it regenerate - or is that it once the leaves are picked off, such as romaine lettuce?

 

[Colleen27]

Head varieties are once-and-done, but you can get "cut and come again" varieties that keep growing. Just snip off the leaves you need and the plant will grow more. Romaine is somewhere in between - you can cut the outer leaves for use early on or wait until the head is mature. If you cut it leaf-by-leaf it won't form as nice a head later on, but that really doesn't matter for eating purposes.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

look for an assorted leaf lettuce mix - this has several varieties in it. pick the larger outer leaves and the plant keeps growing. One thing to watch out for, lettuce doesn't handle the heat well. It will get bitter and then the plants bolt (go to seed). When I've planted it in Iowa, I get nice lettuce until the latter part of June and then it's done.

 

[disney1990]

We grow leaf lettuce and cut the leaves. It continue to produce after that.

 

[EllenFrasier]

look for an assorted leaf lettuce mix - this has several varieties in it. pick the larger outer leaves and the plant keeps growing. One thing to watch out for, lettuce doesn't handle the heat well. It will get bitter and then the plants bolt (go to seed). When I've planted it in Iowa, I get nice lettuce until the latter part of June and then it's done.

Does it grow better in a shaded area? Since it will be in containers, I can move it around.

 

[wdwfan16]

Does it grow better in a shaded area? Since it will be in containers, I can move it around.

Lettuce is a cooler weather vegetable. Too much sun will do it in.