Bitter lettuce

Hi,

I'm growing lettuce for the first time in about 25 years... Last time I grew it, it was bitter, so I never tried again. This time, I know enough to know it's a cold weather crop. I asked someone, at my trusted nursery, when to plant their seedlings & she said "now" - that was about 6 weeks ago. I planted it in my raised veggie garden, in an area that gets shade part of the afternoon. I have beautiful looking bitter lettuce! Is this solely due to heat? It hasn't been very hot in No. CA, until the past week, but it's been tasting bitter all along. Should I pull the lettuce & start over? What am I doing wrong?

signed,

A lettuce failure....

Ohh, don't be too harsh on yourself. Bitter greens are always good in a salad or even to use cooked in dishes such as wilted lettuce http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/wilted-lettuce-salad/Detail.aspx ) though we may not be looking for that in lettuce. What variety/ies are you growing? What are your temps? I assume the plants have had plenty of water if they look beautiful. It's really a cool weather crop, not cold, and likes a consistent supply of moderate temps and water. Underline consistent here. Another cause of bitter lettuce is too much nitrogen (but it sure will look pretty).

Thanks for the quick response Maypop!

I planted a six pack of "mixed green" seedlings, (all large flat leaves - some green & some red) - that's about as scientific as I am re. the variety. I used a bit of starter fertilizer (2-4-2) & lots of compost, when I planted the lettuce & put some plantone fertilizer on the beds about 3 weeks ago. I water deeply every other day & the weather's been in the low 70's, until the past week, when the 90's hit.... but haven't tasted the lettuce since the hot weather hit.

I guess I'll wait a couple of weeks, then plant some more.... meanwhile I'll give your recipe a try.

Many thanks!

Liz

You might want to try seeds. They are not only economical but also give you control over the variety and conditions in which they are raised. Most mixed greens, or mescluns, contain bitter greens as well as sweet lettuces. They may include beet greens, arugula, chard and others that might not meet your lettuce standards. I'd seed now and keep going every few weeks in your zone. Try some baby bibb, butterhead, buttercrunch or Romaine. Red sails is a good red one. Good luck.
Laurel

Be careful on buying what you may think are seedlings. Many times Feed and Seed Stores or your local home improvement store are selling older plants. These plants may have been started many weeks ago, roots have been restricted, and have just endured lots of sun and hot weather. The older plants when given a nice planting bed will go to bolt and will cause the leaves to be bitter. I think Maypop got it right just buy the seeds, start them yourself in a seed tray(for quick germination and control of weather conditions), and plant them when they are ready. I live in 8a and generally start about two weeks in October unless the weather is too hot. I think you are fine to start from seed now. -- Tim

Thanks Tim!

lizzipa, you mentioned "I asked someone, at my trusted nursery, when to plant their seedlings & she said "now" - that was about 6 weeks ago".

That tells me six weeks ago would've put you in the heat of August or so, the hottest time of the year in most parts of the country and not a good time to set out lettuce plants. Someone may have steered you wrong.

It doesn't sound to me like any of your lettuce plants bolted, thereby causing the bitterness.

I think you should give it another try (sowing or setting plants at a later date than August next year) as well as sowing seeds now. I'm not familiar with your zone (except that 9A is a hot one) nor your elevation so couldn't say when to sow/set out; your county ag folks could help with that, I hope.

You may also want to try cut-and-come-again lettuces, basically cutting lettuce leaves when young.

More importantly you should try some of the more heat tolerant lettuces such as Nevada or Jericho, the latter being bred in Israel some years back to perform in high heat areas.

I sure hope you get a lettuce crop. I love a salad at every meal if possible.

Shoe

Thanks Horseshoe! I asked the advice of the wrong person, at the nursery. I didn't recognize her as one of the regulars, who I trust... but I'll definitely try again!

Shoe's advice is sage. Never ask the nursery person if you can ask Shoe. I'd take it and run. I did mention succession planting and any of the leaf lettuces are cut and come again types including red sails. Good luck.
Laurel (who has poor luck with Fall lettuce)

"Shoe's advice is sage. Never ask the nursery person if you can ask Shoe."

Hah! *grinnin' here. Flattery, flattery!

And I'm right there w/ya on Red Sails, Maypop, one of my favorites (shown here being displayed by a favorite young'n from several years back)!

Happy Gardening to All!
Shoe

I still haven't sown my lettuce (greens blend) seeds. It been in the high 80's just seemed too hot to me. Also, I have run out of room, my spring-summer garden is still going strong, better now then ever. This evening my kids are going to help me expand that garden but I'm still waiting, it just seems tooo hot.

FWIW, I have never covered any of my greens or cole crops even when it freezes. When there is going to be a long extended freeze or its supposed to get really cold 8* I cut the greens down to the ground. To date, I have never lost anything to a freeze, a goat yes, but never a freeze. Just thought I'd pass this info along so gardening can be a little less labor intensive. NEVER, take my advice over Shoes, chances are I got the info from him anyway. LOL

Lisa, I'd take your advice. Methinks you're a better grower than you let on! :>)

I'm like you, I never see the need to cover greens and such either. I'll live off them thru the winter (more winters than not).

Now about that goat you mentioned that froze...

Shoe (who just cut up some cabbage and have it simmering in a pot with a smoked pork neck bone. Yummy!)

"Shoe (who just cut up some cabbage and have it simmering in a pot with a smoked pork neck bone. Yummy!) " Yuck!! that is wayyy.. to southern for me.

I didn't loss the goat to a freeze. I lost 50' of broc. , when one of my super fat goats "jumped" over the chicken wire fence and eat everyone of them. The first time it happened she wasn't caught in the act, and I never suspected because nothing else was eaten. However, the 2nd time I caught her I was shocked she could even get over the fence.

Fortunately, freezing is something we rarely worry about here. Okay, red sails it is! Thanks everyone!