Well, last week we were dabbling with temperatures in the 40s - this week it's a scorcher - we are already reaching the 90's today and are supposed to continue this throughout the weekend and into the next week - there goes my plan to plant my lettuce.. I didn't want to plant it too early (because I did that with my tomatoes and peppers and they ended up serving a little more than compost for the next crop) but now I fear it's too hot! I'm thinking I might try to get some containers and plant in there... that way I can put them outside to get a good couple hours of full sun but move them inside during the hottest parts of the day.. I'll be able to keep them well watered and won't have to make 100 trips to and from the rain barrel near the house to make sure they are getting enough moisture...
From searching online, I found that I've accidentally chosen great varieties for container lettuce - I've been really into the Butterheads this year - and have some buttercrunch seeds and some bibb lettuce. According to the Ag Extention at Texas A&M University the following do well in containers - for Leaf Lettuce: Buttercrunch, Salad Bowl, Romaine, Dark Green Boston, Ruby, Bibb.
I think I'll start with an organic top soil mixed with coconut fiber from a coir brick I have and haven't needed to use yet... I'll add some gravel stones first for adequate drainage followed by the top soil/coir mix - Since I'm growing from seed (DOH - why haven't' I started my lettuces earlier indoors :( I'll have to think the container carefully so I don't disturb the roots of the keepers.
I'll have to take some pictures of my new tomatoes - they are about 4 inches tall now and if I can keep my cat from eating them - I'll be all set for tomatoes soon! What's so strange is I have a great friend in Florida from Remodeling This Life who has tomatoes almost already for the picking she writes about them In An Effort To Get Back To Basics... ahhh the differences in climate between NY and FL are amazing - of course had I been a bit more diligent, I would have had more hardy transplants in the ground when the dreaded frost hit and I would be getting ready to reap what I had sewn with some delicious tomatoes in a couple of weeks.. ahh we live and learn.
2 comments:
yes! we've been picking and eating ours already! the kiddos keep yanking them off the second they aren't green anymore and i have too use them up before they are used to throw at the dogs LOL!
I'm so jealous!! Mine are all spindley and sad looking
Post a Comment