Tips
On Growing Lettuce
by Marilyn Pokorney
Lettuce
is an easy to grow spring and autumn vegetable. It's two worst
enemies are hot temperatures and slugs. Here are some tips
to grow lettuce all summer long, even when temperatures soar.
• Make sure soil contains a good supply of nitrogen for good leaf production.
• Make early plantings in full sun.
• Plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep in a wide row, 6 inches apart in all directions.
• Plant every two weeks for a continuous harvest all summer long.
• As the weather warms up, start planting in partial shade. Either on the
side of the house that receives morning sun or in the shade of other taller plants
such as corn broccoli etc.
• Keep
weeds under control as lettuce has shallow roots and can't
compete
with deep rooted weeds.
• Keep soil moist but not wet. Water at the base of the plant and not the
leaves wet leaves will encourage disease.
• Aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles, leafhoppers and leaf miners are
some of the insects that attack lettuce, but slug are the most notorious for
loving lettuce.
• Avoid pesticides as lettuce leaves are very tender and delicate, and
can absorb many insecticides. An insecticidal soap or handpicking usually alleviates
the majority of lettuce pests.
• One tip to avoid slugs is to avoid mulching lettuce.
For more tips on how to control slugs on lettuce and in the entire garden visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/garden/slugs.htm
© Marilyn
Pokorney
Marilyn Pokorney
is a freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment. She also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. www.apluswriting.net