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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Stopping splash up on Lettuce

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  • From: Lucy Goodman <goodows AT infinet.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Stopping splash up on Lettuce
  • Date: Wed, 02 Jun 2004 09:07:40 -0400

Allan,

Use row cover (but not remay, that stuff IMPO is too thin to be of any use.) I have used row covers in 100˚F+ heat with wonderful results. They reflect a lot of heat off of the plants. And they keep them very very clean. There is a spanish study done in 2001 IIRC that clearly shows plants do not over heat under row covers. the covers keep the temps very steady as a matter of fact. If it is 95˚F+ it will be about 10˚F cooler under the covers. Plus you avoid hail damage and drying winds. check out my row cover page at http://www.boulderbelt.com/rowcover.html

I do wash all my lettuce as I find it keeps a lot longer in the fridge than unwashed. I use a cheapo rubbermaid tub that cab found at any box store or dollar discount store. I believe I use the 42 gallon size currently but any larger size will work. I fill the tub 2/3 full with well water, about 1/2 cup table salt and about 1 cup of white vinegar. The vinegar softens the water and has a lot of antibacterial properties. the salt kills the slugs and also rehydrates veggies. I clean all nasty, dead leaves from the head than toss it in the water than force each head under water by pushing it under with my hand until all the air bubbles are gone (if you don't do this the heads want to stay on the surface of the water). To dry the heads i use a Dynamic professional salad spinner. I carefully place the heads so the root end is pointing up, this allows them to drain really well. I layer the heads in the basket of the spinner and than spin them dry. clean heads go into towel lined plastic tubs, are covered with towels and than into the fridge until I bag them up and take them to market

Lucy
Boulder Belt Organics
New Paris, OH





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