Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Salad Season


It's that highly anticipated season of the year again.....Salad Season!




This beautiful mix is a favorite of mine, Pinetree Lettuce Mix. It was winter sown on January 10th, transplanted out in February, and kept covered with ventilated plastic on those early cold days and frosty nights. It has come through several Spring hail storms! Last week I began picking this lovely, delicious lettuce. It is so tender, that it actually tastes creamy to me. ( I know creamy is an unusual word to describe lettuce, but that is just how tender it is!) Early lettuce is always best, as heat tends to make it bitter. Summer often hits us rather quickly here, so getting an early start with the lettuce is something I always endeavor to do.... and the little bit of extra time and effort involved pays off!





This photo shows the full view of the self watering container I use to grow the lettuce in. The size of the container is about 6 ft long by 1 Ft. wide. We received two of these from a friend, who was cleaning out his back yard, and I LOVE them! The second container was just planted yesterday with two lettuces that can take more summer heat, Jericho and Anuenue. When the heat hits us, I enlist the help of dear husband to move the container to my deck, where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade.





A bowl full of freshly picked, sweet, succulent lettuce.





A close up of all the beautiful textures and colors!


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Tip: Lettuce should be planted in full sun for the spring and fall, and in partial shade for the hottest part of the summer.




12 comments:

Seneca said...

I know about creamy lettuce!

Catherine said...

Yum! If I lived next door I'd come over for a creamy lunch of you lettuce! You've done very well in getting started and out!

joey said...

Oh my, Connie, does that look tempting ... where's my fork!

Victoria Williams said...

Wow, I'm so impressed. Creamy lettuce, perfect!

O.I.M said...

That's a very lovely mix. You sure did get an early start...I have yet to sow my lettuce.
Irena

Kathi said...

I am soooooo very jealous! I cannot wait to harvest my own lettuce. The first lettuce of the season always tastes the best! Yours looks wonderful! Great pics!

Melissa said...

Your garden is lovely...and the salad looks delicious...

Roses and Lilacs said...

That lettuce looks wonderful. I have some planted in a much smaller box--maybe too small. I plan to put more into the garden this weekend. I grew Northern Lights swiss chard last year and it was so pretty I put it in with the ornamentals. Don't like the chard cooked but it's good with lettuce in a salad.
Marnie

Lanny said...

Pinetree Seeds are great! One of my favorite catalogs to pour through.

sweetbay said...

That lettuce is absolutely beautiful! I love your raised vegetable beds.

em said...

wow, that looks delicious. my lettuce is only a half inch tall! we had a really cool spring... but i'm surprised how ahead you are!

Greenie said...

The lettuce is gorgeous! And there's just nothing better than fresh lettuce in a salad. Never thought to call it "creamy" but that is a rather fitting description!