I have a question on lettuce. The first bunch of seeds I planted produced beautiful plants, and I’ve made many salads. What remains in the containers is tall, gangly, and bitter. It’s time to take those plants out and plant new seeds, isn’t it? I thought they would self-seed by now, but they haven’t.
I succession plant. It seems they’re a short lived crop and that planting every few weeks helps ensure a supply.
I have heard that every two weeks is good, but i have found that to be too close together, so I do at least 3, up to four.
Watching some of these gardening videos, I’ve learned that stuff like cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, beans, and some herbs are like that so it’s better to sow every few weeks for a consistent crop and once the older plants are spent, just pull them up and get rid of them.
I’m a big fan of burning the old plants instead of composting them because unless the composting is done right, it could spread disease and vermin.
Matter of fact, just the other day, I started a new seed cell of lettuce seeds for a fall crop.
And I started Brussel sprouts and zucchini (a variety that matures in 45 days, so I can hopefully avoid the squash vine borer issue.
Yes, if you let them go they will more than likely self-seed. I leave a few of mine go for just that reason, then I usually have a flat of FREE seedlings to plant again in the fall. (Zone 5)
As soon as you see tall stems on lettuce, it has bolted and is bitter and is getting ready to flower.
If it’s way hot in your fall zone, there are heat-resistant lettuces, so those and shade might give you another lettuce crop. (All salad greens, really).