Why Pulling Lettuce From The Root Is A Mistake (And How To Harvest The Right Way)
As a summertime vegetable gardener, chances are you have at least one lettuce plant growing in your backyard. It's a seasonal staple, especially for those who can't live without their delicious summer salads. When the time comes to harvest this leafy green, you're probably used to pulling the plant straight from its root, as it is common practice amongst gardeners. However, this is actually incorrect. By pulling the lettuce directly out of the soil, you prohibit the plant from producing more leaves. This means you'll have to start all over when you really don't need to.
If there is a more productive way to harvest your lettuce, why not take advantage of it? The best part is it doesn't take much effort. In fact, it's a lot faster and more efficient than pulling roots. You don't have to worry about extracting the entire plant. Now, let's get into how to properly harvest your leafy greens.
The right way to harvest
To get the most out of your lettuce plant, the key is to avoid pulling the entire thing from the roots. Instead, you want to use the "off-with-its-head" method (at least, that's what we call it). All you need is a large, sharp knife. When you're ready to harvest your lettuce, use the knife to cut straight across the plant, right above the root. You should be left with this little stump, which will eventually regrow in 10 to 12 days. Because you leave the roots alone, you allow the plant to regrow three to four times. It's like the gift that keeps on giving.
You could always use gardening shears to harvest the lettuce as well — anything that is sharp enough to cut through the stalk in one go. Whatever you do, make sure you steer clear of the roots. As they say, don't garden harder; garden smarter.
Tips for growing lettuce
If you're having trouble growing your lettuce (or are looking for ways to grow even more), we have some tips and tricks for you. The first thing to know about growing lettuce is which soil to use and how often it needs to be watered. Lettuce plants love the sun, so make sure you plant them in an area that gets a ton of sunlight. They also thrive with fertilized soil, which you can create by adding compost directly to the soil. You could also use a nitrogen-rich organic option like alfalfa meal.
Keep the soil nice and moist — not wet. To water, spray the leaves directly on really hot and sunny days. Don't forget to give the roots a nice drink too. Otherwise, the plant will wilt. If you're in an especially sunny area that doesn't offer much shade, you can install row covers to ensure the roots stay cool throughout summer.