I planted a variety of lettuces this year. I really love to look at them, with all their different shapes and colors.
Right now they are in every stage of development, from mature to newly planted seedlings. As each plant is harvested, a seedling is ready to take its place.
Each of my two 4'x3' lettuce beds is a hodge-podge of different plants, with all different colors and textures. Unfortunately (for the lettuce, not the heat loving crops) temperatures are supposed to get up near 90 toward the end of this week, so I must take steps now to extend the lettuce season.
Simply placing a sheet of vinyl privacy lattice over each bed provides the shade to keep the lettuce cool under the hot rays of the sun. The lattice provides dappled sunlight, while the white color reflects the heat away from the plants. It still allows watering by sprinklers, without removing the panel. I've simply pounded a stake into the center of the bed to keep the lattice from sagging too much, and put screw hooks into the end posts to prevent it from sliding off, yet allowing me to slip the panel off for planting and harvesting.
It's not pretty, but it certainly helps to extend the lettuce growing season.
I planted a variety of lettuces this year. I really love to look at them, with all their different shapes and colors.
Right now they are in every stage of development, from mature to newly planted seedlings. As each plant is harvested, a seedling is ready to take its place.
Each of my two 4'x3' lettuce beds is a hodge-podge of different plants, with all different colors and textures. Unfortunately (for the lettuce, not the heat loving crops) temperatures are supposed to get up near 90 toward the end of this week, so I must take steps now to extend the lettuce season.
Simply placing a sheet of vinyl privacy lattice over each bed provides the shade to keep the lettuce cool under the hot rays of the sun. The lattice provides dappled sunlight, while the white color reflects the heat away from the plants. It still allows watering by sprinklers, without removing the panel. I've simply pounded a stake into the center of the bed to keep the lattice from sagging too much, and put screw hooks into the end posts to prevent it from sliding off, yet allowing me to slip the panel off for planting and harvesting. 
It's not pretty, but it certainly helps to extend the lettuce growing season.
That is a clever solution. And really, I wouldn't even say it is not pretty. It is far more attractive than most shade cloth!
ReplyDeleteAG, your lettuce beds look fabulous....and great idea for diffusing the sunlight. : ) We are supposed to be in the high 70s to mid 80s this weekend...I can't wait! My husband will be in your neck of the woods this weekend. (I think it's close anyway) He is competing in a bbq pitmaster competition in Prosser at Mckinley Springs Winery.
ReplyDeleteCareful, Granny or we'll start calling you EG! What a good solution to your problem!
ReplyDeleteI like all the different shapes and colors of the lettuce too. I was a good girl this spring and didn't over plant the lettuce.
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea for a shade cover. It really looks quite nice.
Ali, Sunny. Ribbit & Robin, I used this method to shade my cut and come again (or as The Idiot Gardener would say, my CACA bed) of mesclun in 2008, when I didn't get the garden planted until July. The mesclun grew and thrived the entire summer under that lattice. Last year, I didn't plant enough lettuce to bother with, and regretted that the entire gardening season.
ReplyDeletewow, GREAT tip! i've been wondering what i could do to help my little lettuce box.
ReplyDeletei'm envious of your lettuce beds. you must have salads out the wazoo!
I think this year I may take a cue from you and go dig around in my shed and see what I have in the way of shade... otherwise my lettuces will be gone by the time I get a ripe tomato to go in a salad! They are just starting to show signs of heat stress, but I have a packet of Heatwave Lettuce I am sowing next, and hopefully shade will help them!
ReplyDeleteÇok iştah açıcı görünüyor marullar. Salatasına bayılırım.
ReplyDeleteSaygılar.
Great idea, Granny. I hope a big wind doesn't come up, though! (Surely you have them tied down to something...)
ReplyDeleteYou're so smart, Granny! I obviously did not think of this method, but a few of our lettuces got planted right in the path of the tree canopy's shadow, and they lasted all the way until last week without bolting. Over the weekend, though, they turned bitter and almost sour tasting -- without even resorting to throwing up a flower stalk! Crossing my fingers for your lettuce season to go as long as possible...
ReplyDeleteKelli, lots and lots of lettuce ;-) I'll be blogging about it again tomorrow.
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Erin, it's just not fair that the lettuce bolts before the tomatoes ripen. I want my BLTs!
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EG, there are screw hooks in the corners that must be turned a half turn to release the boards. The last time I used the lattice, I just had it sitting up on 5-gallon buckets, with nothing to hold it down! I got lucky ;-)
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Meredith, In AZ last year, my red Romaine started turning bitter, but I just kept cutting it for the rabbit. One day I tasted it again, and there was no bitterness at all! We brought it back home with us and ate it all.
Fuat Gencal, ben salata seviyorum, çok teşekkür ederiz. Ben çok var!
ReplyDeletegranny, do you speak turkish?!
ReplyDeleteKelli, Google Translator is my friend ;-) I've found most of the comments I don't understand have a hidden link to places we don't want to visit, but Fuat Gencal has been a follower of my blog for some time now. I wouldn't think of not taking time to translate his comments and posting a reply :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, perfect solution. I have managed with my lettuce in a planter box that gets sun until 1:00 and then is in the shade. Has worked so far but the heat is beginning to make it go bitter. Love the turkish
ReplyDeleteJohanna, so far I have no bitterness in my lettuce, but I've also not had very much heat. The lettuce beds get early morning shade from the lilac tree, so every little bit helps. If these beds start bolting, maybe I'll try a salad table inside the kennel. That will be cool and shady all summer with pole beans growing on the west and an English Walnut tree branch overhead.
ReplyDeleteI think a well planted lettuce patch is more attractive than most ornamental flower patches! The varied textures, colors, and shapes are all so pleasing to the eye. Your patch is definitely one of those really pretty ones.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on the lattice!
While you are in the 90's we will be finally getting up to the 70's where we should be this time of year. I am thrilled because the garden is soggy and cold and needs a shot of sunshine and warmth.
Granny you will be enjoying delicious salads for a long time to come!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea Granny! It doesn't look bad at all. So I wonder how much longer you can keep the lettuce growing under there. That lettuce seed mix looks just like mine, except yours is more spaced out...mine were cram packed into 4 sq ft...he he! But they are pretty! My Daisy likes the purple ones!
ReplyDeleteI think it looks pretty enough. I've used old sheets in the garden to shade the lettuce. Now that looks like I'm doing the laundry there.
ReplyDeleteKitsap, Fred, Shawn Ann and Daphne, I know I answered all of you earlier, but my comments are not here. I'll just wave "HI" at you now!
ReplyDeleteYou know you're getting old when you lose your comments. ;-)