Anyway, on to my real topic of discussion - my lettuce. From late March to early September there is always a tray or plug flat of lettuce babies under my lights. This allows me to have a continuous supply of prime seedlings to plant in patterns, along the bed edges, under my bean teepees and trellises, in pots, wherever!! I love mixing and matching the many colours and textures of lettuce like the deep crimson, frilly edged leaves of Outredgeous with a bright green butterhead. Scroll down and check out the progress on my current lettuce checkerboard.. I could have made a whole 4 by 10 foot bed in this pattern.. but let's be honest, do I really need 50+ lettuce plants ready at once? Nope! I'd rather have about 20 so I don't waste any homegrown goodness.. this patch will last for at least 5 to 6 more weeks.. longer, if I cover the bed with a 30% shade cloth to block some of the summer sun..
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| Well hello, Miss Kim! |
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| Lovely lilac |
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| This looks like chamomile is taking over the garden!! But fear not, it's actually just the angle of the photo - it edges the garden on both sides of the path as you enter. It's in peak bloom now. Can you believe I actually pulled about 75% of the seedlings that came up! Mildly invasive, but easy to control. And so fragrant - like green apples! And the beneficials love it. |
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| Planting my lettuce babies weeks ago.. |
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| Done - bed planted.. do you see the potential? |
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| Two weeks after planting.. they're starting to grow together!! |
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| Today - they're almost a checkerboard (with a bush basil border in front) and a pole bean teepee behind. Sorry about the bright lighting.. I thought it would still be shaded so early in the morning! I've started to pick these tender lettuces. |
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| Close up! A crunchy butterhead.. |
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| And Outredgeous.. the light has washed out the intense, deep red hue. But you can see the unique ruffled leaves. |
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| Totally off topic, but check out this cool mint.. This will be fab on my deck in a pot! |
