Susanna Freymark
People, we have a lettuce problem.
Produce such as lettuce and tomatoes have increased in price because of supply chain disruptions and the weather conditions in NSW and Queensland.
There have been reports of a single lettuce costing $10.
The thing is lettuce and tomatoes are so easy to grow.
In your garden, in planter tubs in your kitchen too, as long as they get direct sunlight.
Lettuce needs a well-drained soil with loads of organic matter (like crumbly compost), a bit of a seaweed feed and some mulch.
Lettuce seeds are very tiny and only need to be sown 3mm deep. Don’t sow them any deeper, otherwise they won’t be able to grow. Sow a few seeds directly into each planting hole and lightly cover with soil.
I cheat and buy the seedlings to give me a headstart.
Within two weeks, I have lettuce.
Lettuce has a shallow root system. Mulch to conserve soil moisture and water regularly to prevent soil drying out, which can cause lettuce to bolt (run to flower), or worse, become bitter.
No one likes a bitter lettuce. Especially if you pay $10 for it.
Slugs and bugs like lettuce too so keep an eye out for them. They have no idea of the expensive meal they are stealing.
Grow lettuce. Set up a small vegie garden. Grow tomatoes, beetroot and other vegetables that don’t require too much work.
and then