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Tips On Growing Lettuce
Lettuce is an easy to grow spring and
autumn vegetable. It's two worst enemies
are hot temperatures and slugs.
Here are some tips to grow lettuce all
summer long, even when temperatures soar.
* Make sure soil contains a good supply
of nitrogen for good leaf production.
* Make early plantings in full sun.
* Plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep in a wide
row, 6 inches apart in all directions.
* Plant every two weeks for a continuous
harvest all summer long.
* As the weather warms up, start planting
in partial shade. Either on the side of
the house that receives morning sun or in
the shade of other taller plants such as
corn broccoli etc.
* Keep weeds under control as lettuce has
shallow roots and can't compete with deep
rooted weeds.
* Keep soil moist but not wet. Water at
the base of the plant and not the leaves
wet leaves will encourage disease.
* Aphids, cabbage loopers, flea beetles,
leafhoppers and leaf miners are some of
the insects that attack lettuce, but slug
are the most notorious for loving
lettuce.
* Avoid pesticides as lettuce leaves are
very tender and delicate, and can absorb
many insecticides. An insecticidal soap
or handpicking usually alleviates the
majority of lettuce pests.
* One tip to avoid slugs is to avoid
mulching lettuce.
© Marilyn Pokorney
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