|
Sat, Sep 8, 12 at 9:38
| When (hopefully I'm not too late) should I plant lettuce in 5b for overwintering? I'm hoping to get a crop so it could be harvested late March-early April or so. Also does anyone have any variety recommendations for overwintering lettuce?
Thank you |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| here in Austraila i can grow lettuce all year round and it can tasted sweeter in winter too but if you think it may be a little too cool in your area try using a coldframe and there should be little to no problem. |
Here is a link that might be useful: organic gardeing
|
| In 5b you'd most definitely need a cold frame or a tunnel. |
|
| In 5b the best way to get early lettuce is to start seeds indoors in late winter and set them out under cloches or in a frame in March. A few varieties like Winter Density will overwinter, but repeated freezes make the leaves a funny texture that is not wonderful. Deer, rabbits, etc think winter lettuce is for them. |
|
- Posted by sweetwilliam89 5b (My Page) on Sun, Sep 9, 12 at 17:20
| I definitely agree with the idea of using low tunnels or cold frames. We have both and I was considering using the tunnel for sure (if not both). We use the cold frame in early spring/late winter to harden off transplants and it can get rather crowded, but I was hoping to get a big enough lettuce crop to just tide over till the early planted lettuce gets started to get the season of fresh salads going a bit earlier. |
|
| Plant you lettuce in early March, it will be ready to harvest in early April. Anything you plant now will be ready in 21-30 days. Last year I transplanted lettuce in November, harvest after Christmas. Direct seeded lettuce on December 30th, harvested in March. This was inside a high tunnel. Jay |
|
| I'm in 5b and I plant in September for overwintering lettuce -- some of it under fleece, and some outside, it all does fine. I've bought lots of winter lettuces -- winter density, rouge d'hiver, etc -- but then the volunteer red sails and black seeded simpson, out in the open under feet of snow, do really well just to show me I didn't need to go though all that fuss. And yes, it's great in March and April (spinach too!) Jay - your lettuce grows a lot faster than mine! Mine grows really slow once it's cooler and shorter days, which is why I plant in Sept for spring harvest. |
|
| i agree with elisa_Z5 spinach and swisschard is a good alternative to lettuce in the winter as i know that the swisschard can be used in salads with very little to no cooking. and it tasted great toooo Mmmmmmmm |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Vegetable Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.