JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Organic Gardening Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
suggest a lettuce?

Posted by louisianagal z7bMS (My Page) on
Tue, Jan 19, 10 at 22:21

I've grown some mesclun mixes and arugula. I harvested many small leaves. Another lettuce (can't remember) grew well, easily, but was very bitter.
Can you suggest an easy to grow head lettuce for organic growing? I think a mild flavor would be my preference.
Thanks.


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

I've been growing loose leave lettuces in our raised bed organically and they have been problem free and delicious. I'll be trying Butter Crunch for the first time this year. It's suppose to be very good.


 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

I've never grown head lettuces, only loose.
I grew butter crunch in the fall - it was delish! Red Sails is wonderful, too. I also grew a "salad mix" that I got at Standing Pine Nursery (between Raymond and Terry) that was great.
It was all very easy to grow; I never had any pests.


 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

There are generally two reasons why lettuces become bitter, weather has become too hot and they are starting to set seed or a lack of water during growth. However, I have also seen lettuce growing in a soil not good and healthy that was bitter mostly because of an unbalanced nutrient supply.


 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

  • Posted by anney Georgia 8 (My Page) on
    Sat, Jan 23, 10 at 12:27

LG

If you want lettuce that lasts into the summer, I'd suggest Jericho, a green romaine lettuce, and Merlot. Merlot is a large leaf lettuce that is crisp and sweet, and is stunningly beauiful. It's a deep burgundy red without a touch of green in the plant at all. The two together in salads are spectacular.

Merlot lettuce is pictured in the link below, apparently in a flower border. The flowers above it are red coreopsis. You can see the deep burgundy-red color that's closest to what it actually is, though it's much more vivid than can be depicted.

(You might be able to tell I'm quite enamored with Merlot lettuce!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Merlot Lettuce


 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

Excellent! Thank you all!
LG


 o
RE: suggest a lettuce?

Any suggestions on where to purchase Jericho & Merlot seeds?


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network