Let me start this post by saying that I’ll be taking off for a week and a half. Going on a camping trip to the Grand Canyon and Utah. Try not to miss me too much. Now on to the post…
Last week, I harvested my lettuce for the first time and was pretty happy. This week, I might be able to substitute the word “kill” for “harvest”.
I think I clipped them too close to the roots and killed them. Dead. Done. No more life.
On a good note, I didn’t kill the tomato plant. It actually started to flower and get top heavy, so I need to give it some support. I wasn’t going to pay for anything, so I hit the streets and found a mirror and broke the frame off. It’s providing the perfect support.
The pepper plants are also starting to flower as well. They aren’t nearly as large as the tomato plant and don’t need a support.
Back to me killing…I mean harvesting the lettuce. At this point, I think it can be that it takes longer for the leaves to regrow or I actually did kill them.
What will the outcome be? You’ll just have to check back to find out (they only wish they could script stuff like this for TV).
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aroKWQSkCw
PS – Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 4th of July. Did you think I was going to say have a miserable one?
My guess is – especially since your peppers and tomatoes are doing well – that it's the heat that's killing your lettuces. They just don't like heat. You could try some shade and water and maybe a little nitrogen fertilizer, that's how some people get lettuce through the summer. Basically lettuce just doesn't like heat in any form. Me, I just give up on it until it gets cool. Enjoyed the post! Hope you enjoy the Grand Canyon.
Your Brooklyn birds were singing with my California birds while I played the video…
My guess is – especially since your peppers and tomatoes are doing well – that it's the heat that's killing your lettuces. They just don't like heat. You could try some shade and water and maybe a little nitrogen fertilizer, that's how some people get lettuce through the summer. Basically lettuce just doesn't like heat in any form. Me, I just give up on it until it gets cool. Enjoyed the post! Hope you enjoy the Grand Canyon.
Your Brooklyn birds were singing with my California birds while I played the video…
I agree with the previous post – I think it's the heat. Even with all of the rain, heat/humidity levels have remained high, and when the sun does come out it has a tendency to scorch. I've had good luck with simply putting up a scrap of old sheet or pillowcase with some clothespins to diffuse the light.
I wish you all the best on your new adventure. Enjoy the vacation, and let me know if I can help out in any way with your projects.
awwww dude… i feel like its my fault your lettuce died since you asked me how far down to harvest…. they really dont like the heat though
My thoughts were that with the wet June we had that weather wasn't the issue. Not really much room to play with on the fire escape. If heat becomes an issue might employ some of Duane's recommendations and shade them a bit.
Brooklyn birds don't sing. They bust freestyle raps 🙂
I likes the idea of giving the shade. Can def do that on the the fire escape. In Brooklyn, can move to a shadier spot.
Looks like things are starting to come around though. Just needed some time. Now that I'm back need to update.
Totally your fault dude. We can no longer be friends. LOL. They bounced back. Just took some time. Gotta get my update in.
My thoughts were that with the wet June we had that weather wasn't the issue. Not really much room to play with on the fire escape. If heat becomes an issue might employ some of Duane's recommendations and shade them a bit.
Brooklyn birds don't sing. They bust freestyle raps 🙂
I likes the idea of giving the shade. Can def do that on the the fire escape. In Brooklyn, can move to a shadier spot.
Looks like things are starting to come around though. Just needed some time. Now that I'm back need to update.
Totally your fault dude. We can no longer be friends. LOL. They bounced back. Just took some time. Gotta get my update in.
Next time harvest the outside leaves and leave the inside growth alone. Maybe even leave a couple outside leaves on the plant to photosynthesize. It may not be how close you cut your leaves but how many and where.
I hope you have a lot of fun on your trip. You are going to one of Earth’s most wondrous places. Post some pics when you get a chance. Thanks for your post Mike and chat again soon.
Brian Schamp @BrianSchamp
Thanks bro. Definitely learned that one when I started.
The Grand Canyon trip was amazing. Hard to believe that it was almost 2 years ago.