Anyone able to grow sweet lettuce?

**llama momma** 5/18/2012, 12:31 pm

Two years in a row I've transplanted small nursery stock lettuce, it grows well but tastes bitter. I must be doing something wrong. Please tell me how did you grow lettuce that is neutral to sweet tasting??? I've tried soaking in in some water for several days in the fridge. Surprisingly still crispy. The nasty taste calmed down but still came through

Lavender Debs 5/18/2012, 1:29 pm

Well that is irritating!! So sorry about that.

I grow mine from seed both tossed into the garden and from soil blocks. (tossed into garden seems to be better for some of my favorites like Flashy Trout’s Back but does not matter for others I like such as Grandpa Admires) In the PNW I can start lettuce outside when I start peas in February. Since I like baby lettuce I start clipping it when it is small (palm size-ish?). I clip it down to a small nub and DO NOT leave any of the older leaves, it comes back but sometimes will GET BITTER and go to seed if I leave old leaves on the plant. When the weather heats up there is nothing I can do, it want to make seeds, it will get bitter when it heats up. There are a few that do OK in heat but you will not know which kinds until you test them. I know this doesn’t help because we live in such different climates BUT hoping the best for you and your salads.

**llama momma** 5/18/2012, 2:06 pm

Thank you, I will go with your advice. I have an unopened packet of slo-bolt lettuce seeds. I'll try starting those indoors with my new seed blocker then transplant it next to something taller for shade. And try some seed directly sown into the garden. And I'll remember to cut them when they are small. Maybe black seeded simpson for some reason doesn't like my Ohio garden.

Lindacol 5/18/2012, 2:21 pm

I guess I have to retype this I hit send & got an error msg that the webpage was too slow to load????

Oakleaf lettuce does great in my garden. It has never gotten bitter but it is not crisp like I would like it to be. Romaine did well over the winter and I have some new plants ready to start harvesting.

I am also trying Nevada lettuce for the first time which is supposed to be slow to bolt. My black seeded simpson went bitter last year about the time I started harvesting tomatoes.

**llama momma** 5/18/2012, 2:33 pm

Thanks! Added your comments to my notes. Computers are great but I still like an old fashion notebook Rolling Eyes

- don't know what the deal was on your computer glitch. Strange I've never seen that message before.

kbb964 5/18/2012, 3:26 pm

Black seeded simpson likes my Michigan Mels Mix , just harvested some today

CharlesB 5/18/2012, 4:43 pm

Adding more minerals seems to sweeten up all my greens, including lettuce. Try a dusting of Azomite, Rock Dust, Redmond Conditioner or if you can't find those maybe some seaweed solution.

**llama momma** 5/18/2012, 4:49 pm

Wow, interesting. Don't have any of those products on hand. Rock dust is good for my worm bin too because of the trace minerals. Be very nice if it fixes my lettuce and keeps the worm kids healthy. See what I can find in town tomorrow, thanks a bunch CharlesB Very Happy

TN_GARDENER 5/18/2012, 4:52 pm

I prefer to grow my lettuce in a window box. I keep it right outside my kitchen in a relatively shady spot (morning sun) and I probably water it every day. It tastes great and not bitter (to me).

So, I'd suggest more shade and more water.

**llama momma** 5/18/2012, 4:59 pm

Well, there's many options here. I've got a north side window with a couple hours of morning sun. And I have empty pots. Well, with all of this good advice, something will have to work!

CharlesB 5/18/2012, 9:05 pm

TN_GARDENER wrote:I prefer to grow my lettuce in a window box. I keep it right outside my kitchen in a relatively shady spot (morning sun) and I probably water it every day. It tastes great and not bitter (to me).

So, I'd suggest more shade and more water.

Know what variety you are growing?

TN_GARDENER 5/19/2012, 7:30 am

CharlesB wrote:
TN_GARDENER wrote:I prefer to grow my lettuce in a window box. I keep it right outside my kitchen in a relatively shady spot (morning sun) and I probably water it every day. It tastes great and not bitter (to me).

So, I'd suggest more shade and more water.

Know what variety you are growing?

Buttercrunch is what i've been growing in the window box.

I also recently harvested some Grand Rapids from my garden and it wasn't bitter, either.

jakesebastin 6/25/2012, 1:51 pm

One of my friend had that setup and he had grown the lettuce indoor. It was giving good results to him and was looking great.

CapeCoddess 6/25/2012, 3:22 pm

CharlesB wrote:Adding more minerals seems to sweeten up all my greens, including lettuce. Try a dusting of Azomite, Rock Dust, Redmond Conditioner or if you can't find those maybe some seaweed solution.

CHarles, will seaweed sweeten the lettuce AFTER it's been planted/sprouted? Or do we need to use the seaweed before planting the lettuce?

CC

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Anyone able to grow sweet lettuce?

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Minerals

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Variety?

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