Pondering Early Planting? Think Lettuce

If you are a fresh greens and lettuce enthusiast, you should consider planting a crop of your own. Whether you are a container gardener or a small plot gardener, lettuce and other greens are hardy and easy to grow. You will quickly find out that the flavor of fresh greens is far superior to supermarket varieties. Since leafy greens are a cool weather crop, your greens will be eaten and out of the way in time for warm weather vegetables.

Picked lettuce actually breathes. It takes in oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. I know, everyone thinks the opposite is true. And plants growing in the sunlight do take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in a process called photosynthesis. They give off oxygen, while creating food for growth from sunlight, air, soil and water. But, harvested fruits and vegetables behave differently. They are still alive and struggling to carry on the biological process of life after harvesting. They take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide and water as they convert inorganic materials into substances they need. This process is called respiration, which is totally different from photosynthesis.

According to R. B. H. Willis’ book on post harvest, lettuce respires at an extremely high rate, 200 milliliters of carbon dioxide per kilogram per hour. Compared to potatoes at 8 milliliters and apples at 25 milliliters. This high rate of respiration is why lettuce does not keep well. During respiration there is a metabolic breakdown of cells – decay. Lettuce turns brown, rusty spots appear and leaves turn black with decay.

Bags of fresh, young lettuce leaves you see at the supermarket are stored in “modified atmospheric packages.” The air in these bags is replaced with nitrogen, which slows respiration and retains freshness, extending shelf life considerably.

Of course, chilling, proper humidity and limiting oxygen supply by wrapping in plastic slows respiration of lettuce as well as any harvested produce. The point is – fresher lettuce tastes best and it is higher in nutrition al value. Reducing respiration to a matter of minutes or even hours rather than weeks will definitely provide a flavor distinction! Agree? So think about planting lettuce greens this spring.

Contemplate leaf lettuce if you have limited space. A flowerbox, large pot or other container can yield a good crop of lettuce in about 30 days. Buy transplants, plant from seed or start your own transplants indoor. When harvesting, pick the outer leaves and your plant will continue to produce until it bolts when hot weather sets in. When lettuce bolts, it starts to flower and a bitter taste develops in the leaves. Remember, lettuce is a cool weather crop; early spring and late summer are prime times.

For more information on lettuce varieties, planting, harvesting and preparation of garden produce, visit our website “Watch Your Garden Grow” at the University of Illinois Extension Urban Resource Network at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/.

Source: Master Food Preserver Notebook, University of Illinois Extension, Dr. Susan Brewer, Food Preservation Extension Specialist.

Spring 2003
Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Crabgrass: A Weed's Weed! | Health & Household Tips | Perennial Plant of the Year 2003 | Mulch Reminder | Using Organic Fungicides | Bug Bites: A Bug Bite is Not Always a Bug Bite | Lawn Care Calendar | Cybergarden Sites | Pondering Early Planting? Think Lettuce | Eggology | Soup for Supper | Protein-Rich Diets and Weight Loss

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