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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Lettuce in April

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  • From: "Liz Pike" <liz AT laughingbrookfarm.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Lettuce in April
  • Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 07:39:09 -0400

> I've been thinking of pulling off the row cover soon but now I'm wondering
if I wouldn't be ahead > to leave it on because it may be shading enough to
slightly moderate the heating effect of the > black plastic.

Row cover will not shade. The temps under it will usually be at least 4*
higher than outdoor temps depending on what brand of row cover you're using.
Remove the cover, but leave the plastic.

I grew lettuce in black plastic all the time on the coast until fire ants
decided they liked that heat too. Sadly I had to quit & go back to battling
the weeds & slugs. Ordinarily, the plastic shouldn't create so much warmth
to impact the lettuce--unless you're growing for season extension into
warmer days, then it encourages bolting. Our May temps often were in the
90's so I'd cover the black plastic with a thick layer of mulch to shield
the plastic from the sun & keep it cool . I got 2 more weeks of harvest
that way, but never got past the end of May!

Liz Pike
Laughingbrook Farm
Westfield NC
http://www.marketfarming.com
http://www.laughingbrookfarm.com






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