Customers love lettuce in the summer , but lettuce itself does n’t love the summertime heat . calculate on where you live , raise summertime lettuce might seem impossible . However , from Arizona to the deep southerly U.S. , even the toughest salad environments have growers who produce nice lettuce year - round — and so can you .
That said , it ’s not as childlike as just continuing to seed lettuce ejaculate . acquire summertime dough involves more oeuvre , and you need a few matter to succeed . I ’ve put together a small list of consideration to facilitate you determine whether growing summer lettuce is indeed for you .
1. Seed Cost
When it comes to the summer heat , not just any lettuce will thrive . Some will bolt out tight or refuse to grow at all . So it ’s important to seek heat energy - large-minded varieties from your purveyors . Of course , heat - tolerant lettuces can be more expensive , too . So in decree to make these crops worth your while , reckon whether you could get these more expensive seeds systematically to maturity .
2. Regulating Temperature for Germination
Because lettuce germ germinate at between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit , you might not be able to seed simoleons directly into the grime . Using some grime mix and trays is essential . You also must keep those tray from operate directly into the greenhouse — that soil take to bide cool , too . I urge a cellar or even a few hr in a cooler with icing . Anything to keep the temperature within that ideal sprouting range to ascertain you get the most from the slimly more expensive semen .
3. Misting and Shade Cloth
I ’ve had the most success grow summer dough here in 6b , where summertime temperature are regularly in the high 80 and ninety , with misting . Salad crops require a secure misting every few time of day when the Sunday is really hot to keep them well-chosen , coolheaded and mature . In the humid south where it seldom cools off , a night misting might help as well . Some growers match that with 30 percent nicety cloth to slim the intensity level of the sun . They might take the fabric off once the plant is established , or leave it on if the Lord’s Day maintains its strength . So if you believe your climate will command it , shade cloth and overhead irrigation is an important investment funds to see when deciding on summer lettuce .
4. Consistent Watering
The other factor beyond haze over is watering . for avoid overly acerb crops , water must be coherent and copious . If possible , the soil should never fully dry out . This can be done most efficiently with trickle irrigation . Landscape fabric also helps control the wet better , as will having land gamy in organic matter .
5. Early Morning Harvests
If you ca n’t get to your field at or before dawn , summertime lettuce present some challenges . I recommend cutting the lettuce long before the sun has fully come up . The lettuce should be immediately launder in cold water supply and cool down to hold back ledge life . If you have fix cooler space or do n’t have a agency to cool down your wash drawing water , then consider skip summer lettuce . Without the power to really get the clams cold-blooded , it will not hold well for your customers .
If all that sounds manageable for your farm , however , summertime scratch could be your new recess .
