Sugarloaf is a type of lettuce that only ripens in the fall. It is sometimes even referred to as a winter lettuce. So does it have special properties that allow it to survive frost unscathed? Only in part! When it comes to cold, this plant also has a limit of tolerability.
Sugarloaf can be harvested well into winter
Harvest time for sugar loaf
The sugar loaf is an annual plant that does not need to be overwintered. The formed head, which is reminiscent of the South American sugar loaf due to its shape, is ready to harvest about eight to twelve weeks after sowing or planting. Since this type of lettuce is planted in mid-June to the end of July, the harvest time begins at the end of September to the beginning of October.
At the beginning of the harvest season there is still no frost, so the question of overwintering does not arise at first. However, since the sugar loaf is only in demand as a fresh cooking ingredient, it is harvested as needed, which extends the harvest time. Anyone who has grown a larger quantity rightly asks how long the heads can stay out in the bed.
Sugarloaf tolerates light frost
There is no hurry when harvesting the sugar loaf. Light frosts don't bother the plant, they even take away part of its bitterness. The only important thing is that the thermometer does not permanently drop below -5 °C.
- in mild regions, sugar loaf can overwinter in the bed
- Cover plants with fleece in late autumn
- harvest as needed on frost-free days
Do not hibernate in rough locations
If you live in a harsh area of the country, overwintering the sugar loaf is not recommended. No winter protection can keep it alive when temperatures below zero are to be expected.
Harvest the entire bed by mid-November at the latest, even if you cannot use up all the heads in a timely manner. Properly stored, they can be stored for up to two months. To do this, cut off all heads close to the roots, or pluck them out together with the roots.
Wrap rootless plants in damp newspaper and refrigerate. Plants that still have their roots attached are hung upside down or stored in containers of damp sand.