Cutting Lettuce From Your Garden?

QM · 07-14-2009, 05:33 PM

I have Boston lettuce growing in our garden. It looks ready to cut/eat. How do I take it out of the garden so that more lettuce will continue to grow in its place? Thank you in advance.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 07-14-2009, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Quiltin' Mama

I have Boston lettuce growing in our garden. It looks ready to cut/eat. How do I take it out of the garden so that more lettuce will continue to grow in its place? Thank you in advance.

Cut each leaf about 1 inch above the ground and start on the outside, allowing the inside leaves to flourish. I use a paring knife to cut mine.

**mauimagic** · 07-14-2009, 06:17 PM

How interesting - never thought about this - never grew lettuce. But when I do, I'll be forarmed with this great infor!! Mahalo!!

QM · 07-14-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

Cut each leaf about 1 inch above the ground and start on the outside, allowing the inside leaves to flourish. I use a paring knife to cut mine.

CRAP! I ruined one of my four Boston lettuces then. I used a metal knife and cut the entire top off leaving about 1 inch of the base. Oops! Thanks, MomToTwoBoys...Now I know what to do with the remaining lettuces in the garden.

**Judi Dial** · 07-14-2009, 08:05 PM

Cutting the outer leaves works until they bolt. I found someplace that said you can eat the flower stalks. Anyone done that?

Judi

**ladytoysdream** · 07-14-2009, 09:09 PM

Would using scissors work ?
That way you can leave the base and roots intact.

**Incognito** · 07-14-2009, 10:51 PM

A little scissors works just fine for me. I find it a little more accurate, and it doesn't accidentally cut into any other leaves.

**fixer** · 07-14-2009, 11:30 PM

I have always just snapped the leaves off. If the lettuce gets ready to bolt, we have picked it all and stored it in the frig in a tupperware type container. Make sure the lettuce is damp, not wet. It will keep up to two weeks.

**frugalwarrior** · 07-14-2009, 11:47 PM

That's funny. I was posting the same thing as fixer on the lose-a- pound site. i remember putting it in tupperware w/ a paper towel underneath it.
It draws the moisture away but it doesn't wilt that way as easily either. Lettuce is very sensitive to things in the soil and will pick up taste too.

**frugalfranny** · 07-15-2009, 01:30 AM

Not familiar with the term 'Boston lettuce' but the lettuce I have grown I have just torn off, whatever I need, and it continues to grow. As long as you didn't pull the plant up I would bet that it will grow....at least until it bolts.

(but then I don't cut my rhubarb like some others do either and just had my second cutting)

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-15-2009, 09:06 AM

I use scissors and just cut everything leaving about an inch at the base. It seems to be working just fine. We've had about 10 harvests so far, so it's been growing back just fine.

And thanks for reminding me! I gotta get out today and harvest lettuce and spinach!