when to harvest romaine lettuce

Harvest the lettuce when it reaches between 6 and 8 inches tall, with leaves that begin to tighten. Check the romaine in the morning when it nears harvest time. Harvesting first thing in the morning is ideal, because the lettuce is more crisp in the morning than it is later in the day.

1. How many times can you harvest romaine lettuce?
2. When can you start harvesting romaine lettuce?
3. How do you harvest lettuce so it keeps growing?
4. Does lettuce grow back every year?
5. Why is my romaine lettuce growing so tall?
6. How do you harvest romaine mini lettuce?
7. How do I know when my lettuce is ready to harvest?
8. How do you cut romaine lettuce for a salad?
9. How do restaurants get lettuce so crisp?
10. What is the best time of day to pick lettuce?
11. Can you harvest lettuce a few leaves at a time?
12. Can you grow romaine lettuce in a container?
13. Will lettuce reseed itself?
14. What are the only two perennial vegetables?
15. How do you keep lettuce from bolting?
16. Can you still eat lettuce after it bolts?
17. Should I let my lettuce flower?
18. What type of lettuce grows tall?

How many times can you harvest romaine lettuce?

Keep an eye on the inner leaves of the romaine head and give them time to continue growing. Once they've opened up and matured, they're ready to harvest. This process can happen quickly, so check on your garden daily. You'll be able to get 3–4 additional harvests by picking only the mature, outermost leaves each time.

When can you start harvesting romaine lettuce?

Romaine lettuce is generally ready to harvest at 70 to 75 days after planting. Excited home gardeners don't have to wait that long, however, to sample the fruits of their labor.

How do you harvest lettuce so it keeps growing?

Cut the outer lettuce leaves about 1 inch above the crown. This protects the crown so the lettuce can continue growing. Cut off the amount of lettuce needed when the leaves reach a length between 3 and 6 inches. Water the lettuce regularly to encourage continued growth even after you begin harvesting.

Does lettuce grow back every year?

Head lettuce will die back, but most leaf-lettuce plants renew efforts to produce leaves, if regularly watered after trimming. Results will often be smaller than the original plant, but you may be able to harvest a second, good-tasting crop within as little as two weeks.

Why is my romaine lettuce growing so tall?

ANSWER: Lettuce plants that suddenly start stretching toward the sky and growing extra tall are likely to be bolting. ... From the time bolting begins, it takes six to eight weeks for seeds to mature. It's impossible to keep your lettuce from bolting because bolting is a necessary part of the plant's growth cycle.

How do you harvest romaine mini lettuce?

Harvest the entire baby romaine plant when it reaches 6 to 8 inches tall, about 50 to 60 days after germination. Cut the plant off at soil level with a sharp knife. For an earlier harvest, remove outer leaves when they are 30 days old, but leave the rest of the plant to continue growing to maturity.

How do I know when my lettuce is ready to harvest?

Lettuce leaves are ready for harvest when they have grown to about 3 to 6-inches long. More leaves will grow back before the lettuce plant "bolts" or turns to mostly bitter-tasting, tough stems and seeds.

How do you cut romaine lettuce for a salad?

Slice the head of romaine in half lengthwise to create two long halves of lettuce. Turn cut side up and cut the core from each half by using an angled cut to make a triangle shape. Remove and discard the core. Now, turn the cut side down, and slice the lettuce again lengthwise into thirds or quarters.

How do restaurants get lettuce so crisp?

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture, in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

What is the best time of day to pick lettuce?

Lettuce: Pick lettuce in the cool early morning while they leaves are still crisp. Lettuce can be harvested as delicate baby greens, or as crisp, full-bodied heads.

Can you harvest lettuce a few leaves at a time?

long, you can begin harvesting leaf lettuce. Simply snip either single outer leaves or grab a bunch of them and cut them with shears or scissors an inch above the crown of the plant. ... Again, leaf lettuce may be picked any time after leaves form, but before the plant bolts (forms seed stalk).

Can you grow romaine lettuce in a container?

Container Choices

Although a romaine lettuce can grow in containers as small as a 4-inch pot, growth is optimum in larger containers where the soil doesn't dry as fast and there's room for root growth. ... Plastic pots are easier to keep clean than clay pots, weigh less and prevent the roots from drying out too quickly.

Will lettuce reseed itself?

There is a chance that your lettuce will actually reseed itself in the same place (or close by). But obviously if it's about to get cold or you want to save the seeds for later on, you'll actually want to collect the seeds. ... Some may just grab the whole plant and stick it in a bag, then shake the seeds around.

What are the only two perennial vegetables?

Perennial vegetables are vegetables that can live for more than two years. Some well known perennial vegetables from the temperate regions of the world include asparagus, artichoke and rhubarb. In the tropics, cassava and taro are grown as vegetables, and these plants can live many years.

How do you keep lettuce from bolting?

To prevent bolting, planting leafy lettuces in the spring and continually harvesting (cutting them back) during the year will likely prevent bolting and provide lettuce leaves for most of the summer. For head lettuce, such as iceberg, consider planting them as a fall crop so they mature as the weather is cooling.

Can you still eat lettuce after it bolts?

Bolted lettuce can still be harvested and eaten, although the leaves will taste unpalatable and bitter if they are left on the plant too long, so it is best to pick the leaves as soon as possible after bolting and remove the plant entirely once all the edible leaves are removed.

Should I let my lettuce flower?

When plants flower, it's generally considered a good thing; however, in vegetables grown for their leaves, such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage and other cole crops, bolting causes the flavor to turn bitter and the leaves to get smaller and tougher, making them inedible.

What type of lettuce grows tall?

If you're wondering why the romaine lettuce in your garden is growing taller and not wider, we'll tell you why.