What next after lettuce?

Hi all. My lettuce is now bolting so I'm going to pull it up and would like to plant something else.

It's in an area that is under some tree branches, so it gets some morning sun, then dappled sun during mid-day and then a little afternoon sun. The lettuce did great, but it's probably too shady for a lot of veggies.

And, this bed is a lasagna bed that is not really deep. Again, it was fine for lettuce, but not sure what else can grow here.

Any ideas? Thanks.
LiseP

I've had some luck with cukes growing well in partial shade. I discovered this with some volunteers that were very healthy looking and great producers. I also got great results with lettuce planted under the edge of a tree last September. It lasted through January and would probably lasted longer if I'd fed and watered it better.

Ditto on the cukes. Mine did ok in partial shade especially in those dog days of summer.

If you are into herbs, try culantro which tastes like cilantro and absolutely loves the shade

BB

Thanks for your responses. I'll try the cukes!
LiseP

Wow. Surprised your lettuce lasted this long.

April is really the best month to plant cucumbers, beans, melons, etc. But they grow fast so I'm sure you could get some success with them. I'm not sure what to plant in late May besides Okra and maybe peppers.

feldon30, yeah, I'm surprised too. The Romaine bolted quite awhile ago, but the buttercrunch lettuce just kept hanging in there. Maybe because it was not in direct sun that much?

I was going to ask the more general question -- what can I still plant in Tx right now? And you pretty much answered that question, so thanks.

BronxBoy, I've never heard of culantro before. Thanks for the info.

Since Romaine has been mentioned I have a question about it. I planted mine late and it is about 8" tall and not yet bolted. Just a few minutes ago I cut several of the plants off at the ground to bring in for a lunch sandwich. This is my first to harvest since I'm really not all that big on lettuce.

Well after I made the cut there was a white milky juice oozing from the cut. I've always associated milky substances from plants as poison or very alkaline to the extend of the plant not being eatable.

Anybody know what gives with this milky juice on my Romaine?

Thanks,

Jerry

I still have lettuce also, but it is starting to bolt but it is in the full sun. Whenever I cut the main stem it has that milky substance too but I just washed the leaves and ate them with no ill effects.
Lisa

Jerry,

It is natural for lettuce to ooze a milky substance as it gets older. The latin name is "Lactuca sativa", which comes from the latin word "lac" which means "milk". The milky sap was used in olden days as a herbal sedative.

Cybrczch
The milky sap was used in olden days as a herbal sedative.

Interesting..where can I learn more about this?

Jerry

Maybe all cut all my lettuce and suck the sap out. I've never heard that, very interesting.

Always have the white stuff when I cut lettuce.

LiseP, you may find these 3 calendars helpful:
http://www.settfest.com/files/DrBobRandallCalendar.png
http://www.settfest.com/files/Vegetable_Planting_Calendar_Chart_for_Travis_County.pdf
http://www.settfest.com/files/Vegetable_Planting_Calendar_for_Harris_County.pdf

Excellent, feldon30. I'll add them to my bookmarks and thanks.

I was curious that on the 2nd one you listed, it referenced "warm greens" versus "cool greens." I thought pretty much all greens were on the cool side. Any ideas what the warm greens might be?
LiseP

Collards are one warm green I know of.
Lisa

Oh thanks, 1lisac. I've never had collard greens but might have to try them.

Ideally, I was wishing to find a salad green that would grow at the same time as the tomatoes so I wouldn't have to eat my tossed salad in stages over a two-month period, lol. That's probably wishing for a bit much.
LiseP

LiseP - you might want to let some of your lettuce go to seed. Some lettuces have beautiful flowers. The flowers will attract pollinating insects to your garden. The seeds might germinate and grow you new lettuce - or the birds might eat the seeds, which attracts them to your garden, too. While birds are in your garden, they will look around for bugs to eat. It's all good :)

Great idea, HoneybeeNC, but a little late for me! I pulled up my bolted lettuce and have replanted with cuke, cantalope and watermelon. I wished I'd saved just a few, for the reasons you stated.

It just doesn't seem right that nature doesn't allow lettuce and tomatoes to all be ripe at the same time! You may want to try Malabar Spinach. It's actually a vine that likes hot humid conditions.
Lisa

I planted a Red Malabar Spinach about 3 weeks ago and it is taking off like crazy. 1lisac is right - they love the heat. They can grow up to 10' and larger, so make sure to stake or trellis it. The leaves are good eatin'!!

Kelly

Great! I'll put that on my "must have" list. What was your source for that spinach, if you remember? And was it a transplant or seed? Thanks. LiseP

I got the seeds from Baker Creek Heirlooms www.rareseeds.com. It's not too late to start them they need the heat. They are not a true spinach but taste like it.
Lisa

Summer crisp also called batavia lettuce handles heat remarkably well especially if it is partially shaded. I start mine in seed trays just like tomato plants and transplant into raised beds that get dappled morning sun and afternoon shade. Sometimes your lack of sun can cause poor gerimation, that's why I start them in seed trays.