Lettuce leaves are eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches. Some people even like to use lettuce leaves as an alternative to a tortilla shell for tacos! Once the lettuce “bolts,” or grows tall, it doesn’t taste good but you can save the seeds.
- Good Companions
- Fauna attracted to Lettuce
- Plant Origin
- Many places of origin. The varieties we eat here are mostly from Europe.
- Nutrition
- Vitamins: Varies, but most have A, C, K Minerals: Iron
- Family
- Aster (daisy) Family
- Sun
- Full sun with hoop houses
- Soil
- Moist soil
- Water
- Spray irrigation
- Spacing
- 1 plant every 6", rows 6" apart
- Depth
- Root ball should be buried to meet the soil level
- Notes
- Handle plants carefully, as young roots and stems will easily break.
- When to harvest
- Students will harvest for use in cafeteria!
- Harvesting Tips
- Break single or small groups of leaves at base of stem, working from outside to middle. Entire plant can be replanted and will continue to grow if harvested, until temperatures are consistently hot. Once lettuce "bolts", or makes a flower stalk, it doesn't taste good.