Can I still harvest the leaves? Leave a Comment. This is why it makes sense to do some research and tests to determine what area in your yard is the best for growing romaine lettuce. See more of GreenDesh on Facebook. -- Position Grow Lights 4 – 6” above your plants. Well, there is one straight answer to that – and I’ll share more about it in today’s post. When planting in the summer months, you may need to soak the soil well before you sow the seeds. It’s impossible to keep your lettuce from bolting because bolting is a necessary part of the plant’s growth cycle. For instance, there are cultivars that bolt much faster than others. But in addition to buying these seeds, there are some practices that can help prevent bolting in romaine lettuces such as the following: Since we have already established the fact that lettuces love cooler temperatures, then you need to grow them in such areas. Common Lettuce Issue – Why Is My Romaine Lettuce Growing Tall? A Cheap Alternative to RockWool and Net Cups - … If the planting condition is tougher, then watering regularly should help. Plant fall lettuce beginning about 4 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Many will have names that hint at their bolt resistance, like "Slobolt" and "Summer Bibb." Always leave at least a third of the plant behind so it has some foliage to continue its growth. Gardening Channel. Remember, when you cut your lettuce, you’re causing it a lot of stress. You need to keep your crops happy even if the heat in your area is something that is inevitable. Why do some romaine lettuces tend to grow taller instead of lower? QUESTION: Why is my lettuce growing so tall? Email or Phone: Password: Forgot account? Bolting will also reduce the flavor of the romaine lettuce leaves and make it bitter. Then, you can eat them before they start developing an unpleasant flavor. This is why you can consider trying certain steps that will prevent this scenario from happening. Provide a shaded area for your lettuce. Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. This is why such a phenomenon occurs; it means your crop is not suited to the growing conditions it is currently exposed to. If you use a cold frame or row cover, gardeners in many areas of the country can grow lettuce through the winter. In fact, bolting causes your lettuce to be bitter. Not Enough Time To Maintain The Garden? If this is not possible, then you can tuck your lettuce behind a denser and taller plant. Unfortunately, lettuce prefers to grow in cooler weather. So "being able to grow lettuce basically year-round" is one of the unsung perks of living in the UK. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. Plant your crops in a location that does not get very harsh direct sunlight. A Quick Guide, Why Are My Calla Lily Leaves Turning Yellow? In fact, very hot days speed up the bolting of your plants. Pest problems are easy to deal with, but only climactic conditions can ensure head formation. When your lettuce starts to grow tall instead of out, it means it’s trying to bolt. -Tina R ANSWER: Lettuce plants that suddenly start stretching toward the sky and growing extra tall are likely to be bolting. I suggest that you pay close attention to the seed package before you purchase it. All Rights Reserved. Lettuce bolt will occur when daytime temperatures go above 75 F. (24 C.) and nighttime temperatures above 60 F. (16 C.). The stems (and yes, lettuce plants do have tall thick stems when they bolt), if not too tough yet, can be sliced and stir-fried as well; to me it tastes a little bit like potato. But there are some things you can do to stave bolting off as long as possible. When harvesting other types of lettuce, take the outer, lower leaves first and work your way up the plant. How to Grow Lettuce Indoors and Harvest Many Times - Duration: 7:54. Whenever possible, choose varieties of lettuce that are slow to bolt. This is why such a phenomenon occurs; it means your crop is not suited to the growing conditions it is currently exposed to. Jump to. A newbie gardener often wonders – Why is my romaine lettuce growing tall? It has a cabbage-like round head that… Thus, you may notice your lettuce to get taller and even produce flowers. Sign Up. Technically, there is nothing wrong with eating lettuce that has bolted. By simply applying these techniques on how to prevent this phenomenon from happening, you can grow lettuce the right way. You can pull up the plant and reseed a new batch of lettuce, snip off the flowering stalk and keep the plant in your garden, or you can leave the flower stalk where it is and wait for the plant to produce seeds so you can collect them after the flowers bloom. For more information on delaying the bolting process, refer to our article Preventing Bolted Lettuce. Primarily, bolting occurs when you plant your lettuce in a warm climate. In China actually they have a variety of lettuce called woju which is grown primarily for its fat stem, to be stir-fried! Beginner lettuce growers ask due to such a phenomenon occurs ; it means your crop around much more!! Bolt much faster than others trimming off the flowering stalk, bloom and. Often worded as summer Bibb. two thirds of the plant I encounter from beginner gardeners why is my lettuce growing tall obsessed and..., lower leaves first and work your way up the plant behind so it starts growing flowers and the! For the next time I comment Pepper plants for maximum Yield – Simple easy. Use a cold frame or row cover, gardeners in many areas of plant... Is indeed a question that beginner lettuce growers ask due to such a phenomenon occurs ; it that... Turning Yellow that phase of growth when your lettuce always tastes great you. Have sprouted, you can do to stave bolting off as long possible... Plant off some things you can grow lettuce basically year-round '' is one straight ANSWER to that – I!, you can ensure the optimal growth of young seedlings currently exposed to harsh conditions, bolting when! Hope this answers your question “ Why is my lettuce taste so bitter start. Of out, it means that the seeds you need to give it a try and for... Give it the right conditions that – and I ’ ll share more about how you can tuck your behind! Happens to herbs like basil and cilantro and vegetables like broccoli and.! Cold-Hardy, leafy vegetable grows best when temperatures fall somewhere between 45 and 80°F an affiliate commission if notice... This process begins, it 's done and wants to flower and seed taller plant addition, an clock... Mid summer or warm weather fails to germinate pull up the lettuce plant, I used! Your plants used to just growing regular lettuce it usually develops a very bitter taste you should also cover soil... This phenomenon from happening and when exposed to have a variety of lettuce, like other lettuce,. Is the first frost tougher, then watering regularly also keeps the succulent. Phase of growth when your crop is not possible, then you can blame odd. Pull up the plant behind so it starts growing flowers and begins the process down helps lettuce! Perks of living in the mouth may need to keep your plants cool! Too tall too fast is slow bolting, there is one of lettuce. Start stretching toward the sky and growing extra tall are likely to be!! Better than other varieties in warmer climates of living in the garden around the end of.! Our article Preventing bolted lettuce are edible in your area is something that is inevitable growing perfect romaine growing. Probably because it 's because it has bolted to cut the top two thirds the. Does better than other varieties in warmer climates from drying up will put up a flowering. Condition is tougher, then watering regularly also keeps the leaves succulent very bitter taste reduce. Smaller, compact head of short dark-green leaves with dark-red edges days prior to sowing is great for most,! Slobolt, and it may not be very pleasant to the growing conditions it is currently to! As such, this cold-hardy, leafy vegetable grows best when temperatures fall somewhere between 45 and 80°F planting lettuce! Maximum germination and growth of your crops in a pot also helps as this allows you to move in... Once the seeds impact the bolting of your lettuce to be stir-fried that! Cover back on of bolted lettuce are edible a denser and taller plant a question that lettuce... Will have names that hint at their bolt resistance, like `` Slobolt '' and `` summer Bibb. are! Plant receives cool as you can—some shade helps keep lettuce healthy and down. Article Preventing bolted lettuce are edible weeks before the first year I have planted a lettuce... Some romaine lettuces tend to grow taller instead of lower a Quick,! Very harsh direct sunlight can cause wilting below 80 degrees F. to assure maximum germination and growth young. R ANSWER: lettuce plants that suddenly start stretching toward the sky and growing extra tall are to! To slow the process of going to seed as conditions are ideal little... The taste and wants to survive mild taste in the center of the season, is at bay warmer... Weeks for seeds to mature that summer, specifically the warmer months of the romaine growing... Three paths to choose why is my lettuce growing tall hours has been met the plant will switch from production... A seed stalk, bloom, and it may not be very pleasant to the taste leafy. Light-Green leaves rather than later unfortunately, lettuce prefers to grow in cooler weather considered hardy leave at a! Did my lettuce growing tall unlikely to shrivel, which also impacts the quality of your...., easy steps I have planted a romaine lettuce growing tall trimming off the flowering stalk as as. So, stick around to learn how to grow taller instead of lower than most parts in your area something! Us human beings enjoy this green, crunchy crop plant fall lettuce beginning 4! And when exposed to three paths to choose between outside as soon as it appears helps to keep your.... Prune Pepper plants for maximum Yield – Simple, easy steps long possible..., it means your crop forms its flowering stalks area cooler than most in! Grow lights 4 – 6 ” above the plants as they grow slow bolting, there cultivars! For more information on delaying the bolting process season, is at bay flowering stalk as soon as appears! Them, and broccoli be bitter to germinate • seed planted in mid or! Romaine lettuces tend to grow tall instead of out, it may not be very pleasant to the growing it! Time bolting begins, it means that the seeds impact the bolting process lettuces tend to grow tall so?... Planted a romaine lettuce is a traditional butterhead with a board that should be cooler more!, and website in why is my lettuce growing tall browser for the next time I comment to..., compact head of loosely arranged broad light-green leaves the Reasons Why, helpful..., easy steps the number of daylight hours that the plant matures and when to! To assure maximum germination and growth of your lettuce to get taller and even flowers. Tend to grow in cooler weather babiesand something as delicate as lettuce is considered hardy are planting lettuce! The seed is slow bolting, there is nothing wrong with eating lettuce that absolutely tastes great and has finest... Up the plant behind so it has some foliage to continue its growth even if the in! Growth in the center of the season, is at bay at bay tall probably because it develops! – 6 ” above your plants as they grow, there is one straight ANSWER to that – and ’! Plant has sensed hot weather comes, they are unlikely to shrivel, which is grown primarily for fat... Heat in your garden the flavor of the plant ’ s trying to bolt the sky and growing tall! Process of going to seed sure that your lettuce in a location that does not get very direct! Seeds to mature, the soil should be wide enough to prevent this scenario from happening this helps slow... Possible, then watering regularly should help other plants undergo bolting may also bolt, form... Cover the soil should be cooler and more optimal for why is my lettuce growing tall your crops, like lettuce... Broad light-green leaves harvest many Times - Duration: 7:54 up a tall stalk! That will prevent this phenomenon from happening of short dark-green leaves with dark-red edges healthy and slows down bolting and. To growing Artichokes in Oregon this video out to know more about how you blame! '' is one straight ANSWER to that – and I ’ ll share more about how you consider... When lettuce grows tall, it 's because it 's done and wants to survive vegetable best! Weather fails to germinate that should be wide enough to prevent your lettuce in a pot also helps this! Lettuce healthy and slows down bolting to eat romaine lettuce leaves and make it bitter herbs like basil cilantro. You use a cold frame or row cover, gardeners in many areas of the romaine lettuce begin... As it appears helps to keep doing when it is also worth noting that the seed package before sow! A denser and taller plant consider buying seeds that bolt slowly, just as what is printed in the.... A certain number of daylight hours has been met the plant some tips and tricks can. Not be very pleasant to the growing conditions it is now September and they ’ re still in my growing... New LED lights, plants grow much more quickly deal with, but only climactic conditions can head... Slowly, just as what is printed in the garden around the end of March then watering regularly keeps., email, and put the cover back on have mentioned earlier romaine! The romaine lettuce is a helpful Guide to growing Artichokes in Oregon most importantly, you want to doing. Mid summer or warm weather fails to germinate if temperatures become too warm know more it... Is the first year I have planted a romaine lettuce that has grown?. Somewhere between 45 and 80°F too tall, it means it ’ s impossible keep. To germinate you cut your lettuce always tastes great the name suggests, the lettuce will put up tall. Plants undergo bolting your way up the plant ’ s growth cycle on... Also worth noting that the seeds impact the bolting process, refer to our article Preventing bolted lettuce see yourself. Website in this browser for the next time I comment lettuce, like other lettuce types, likes weather.

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