Market Farming

[pam AT twinoaks.org]

Thanks Alison and Paul for the lettuce info. Here in central Virginia, 
where we also have 90+ days, or should I say months, our 
favourite lettuces for summer have been Sierra, Nevada, Cardinale 
- the Batavian crisps. Have you tried these ones, or just the 
Summertime-type iceburgs? I certainly want to try Jericho after the 
high praise, even though we thought we had settled on some 
varieties that worked for us. Sierra is exceptionally good at 
germinating at high temperatures. My summer germination method 
is to keep the seedbed damp and covered with burlap before 
planting, sow in the evening, then put ice cubes or crushed ice 
along the seed row and cover with shade cloth. Then we transplant 
later. I like the pre-plant drip irrigation idea!
        Kalura did well for us in early summer (up till June), got 
enormous! Johnny's have now brought it back, thank goodness! I 
think they maybe suggested it as a mesclun crop, but we wanted it 
for the full-size heads.
Pam Dawling, Twin Oaks Community, Louisa, VA