These simple techniques for harvesting lettuce will help you pick garden-fresh greens at their prime time.
And, unlike other homegrown vegetables, you don’t need to wait until it’s fully mature.
you’ve got the option to pick most leaf lettuces at almost any growth stage.
Credit:Edward Gohlich
However, there are a few simple tricks to know about harvesting lettuce.
you’re free to start harvesting lettuce this way after the plant has at least six leaves.
Snip off only the outer leaves from each lettuce.
These are the largest leaves that have been growing on the plant the longest.
Leave the smaller, younger leaves on the plant to grow into mature leaves.
That way, it will continue to produce more leaves.
This is also called the cut-and-come-again method.
Head lettuce does not regrow after its leaves have been cut.
If you cut too many leaves, you deprive the plant of the energy to continue growing more leaves.
The extra seedlings of mesclun and other fast-growing baby leaf greens make great dinner fare.
When the seedlings are 2 inches high, thin out the seedlings by cutting them at the soil level.
Remove any unsightly or loose outer leaves.Rinse the headunder cold running water and pat it dry.
Instead of cutting head lettuce, pull the whole plant out of the soil with its roots.
Rinse off the soil, and place the head root down into a bowl of water in the refrigerator.
This keeps the lettuce fresh longer.
For maximum crispness, harvest lettuce during the cooler morning hours.
The plant will be leggy and rangy-looking.
It may even start to bloom.
For head lettuce, the center thickens, elongates, and forms a new center.
Its safe to eat lettuce that has bolted, but its leaves will be tougher and rather bitter.
If it does, taste test a leaf.
If the plant is bitter, pull it out of the ground and toss it in the compost pile.
If it still tastes sweet and tender, harvest it immediately and use it promptly.
