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  • From: Gary Scott <twinspringsfarmva AT gmail.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] lettuce less bitter
  • Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:40:18 -0700

Richard,

I am in Central VA, we are experiencing higher than normal heat. I grow lettuce year round, but this summers' heat has been a challenge. I water lettuce rows in the AM before the sun hits them with drip irrigation, I water them again in the mid afternoon overhead with a hose, yes it is time consuming. I like the following varieties: New Red Fire (favorite of the summer reds), Magneta, Cherokee, Coastal, Nevada (favorite green summer leaf), and Jericho.

Last year I used a large shade cloth 50%, slows the growth down a bit, but definitely keeps the lettuce cool and reduces the bitter taste. I bought the bender from Johnny's Seeds for being EMT pipe this summer; I did 1/2 EMT first, have switched to 3/4, the 3/4 is easier to push in the ground. I bought two new 10' x 100' 50% shade cloth from FarmTek, happy with the results. The first heads of lettuce are tender, sweet, not bitter.

I harvest early AM, take the lettuce to large commercial size stainless steel sinks that are of course under cover, I let the lettuce sit in the cool water for an hour or more, I then refrigerate in large plastic tubs, they can hold about 12 LBs. I do this at least one day before going to the market or delivering wholesale, so the lettuce can stay cold for 24 hours, this will also help reduce the bitterness.

My lettuce is not bitter, however, the heat does seem to make it a little tougher. I sell out of lettuce at the market each week, because only one other producer is CRAZY enough to grow it in this heat. 

Gary

--
Gary Scott
Twin Springs Farm
Shipman, VA
twinspringsfarmva AT gmail.com

“Don’t you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?”

Michael Pollan





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