In contrast to various types of lettuce, cut lettuce has the advantage that it can be harvested several times. Provided: the harvest takes place in a certain way. Done incorrectly, the longer-term harvest success is missing…
The question of when
Depending on which variety was chosen and when the cut lettuce was sown or grown, the first harvest of fresh young leaves can be expected in May.
Lettuce leaves can be harvested at regular intervals from spring to autumn. As a rule, the first leaves are already waiting for harvest 6 weeks after sowing. The plants can be harvested three to four times. After that, there is hardly any replenishment.
Furthermore, the following must be observed during harvest:
- ideal: on sunny days in the late afternoon or evening (nitrate levels are lowest)
- harvest before flowering (otherwise: leaves hard, bitter and rich in nitrate)
What is the answer to the question of how?
Not only the time decides whether the lettuce harvest is successful. In addition, the how of the harvest is extremely important. Basically, this means not pulling the lettuce out of the ground completely, but - true to the name - cutting off individual leaves with a sharp knife.
Cut lettuce is cut off 3 to 4 cm above the ground. This prevents the plant from dying. On the other hand, it is stimulated to form new leaves. The result: a long harvesting period over several weeks.
First the outer leaves are cut off. Then the other leaves come into the harvest selection up to the middle. Only at the end, when the plant is to be completely removed, can its heart leaves be cut off.
tips and tricks
Cut lettuce can not only be harvested in the garden bed. It is also possible to sow the plant in boxes and harvest it on the balcony in summer, for example.