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3/4/00. These are nursery-grown Great Lakes Head lettuce plants. I planted them about 8-9 inches apart, staggering the short rows, much in the wide row style. For protection from cutworms, I inserted a toothpick on either side of the stem. This prevents the cutworm from wrapping around the stem and cutting the plant off by the ground. Nails can be used, as well.
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4/1/00. Lettuce is doing well. Color is good, and leaves and stems are strong. So far, I've lost none to cutworms.
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4/7/00 Adequate rain, fertilizer, and sun have quite an effect!
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4/20/00 Heading up!
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4/26/00 Continuing to head up, but it looks like some sort of beetle has attacked one head. Also, they are all showing signs of bolting--probably due to the unusually warm weather we had a couple of weeks ago.
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5/4/00 Another head bites the dust. Some insect is severing the head from the stem.
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5/4/00 Here's one of the culprits--an earwig.
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5/14/00 Here's what's left after the critters ate what they could and heads that were starting to bolt were discarded.
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5/14/00 Two decent heads, about 5 inches in diameter.
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| Summary: Had a good start, but unseasonably hot weather took its toll by causing premature bolt. Earwigs, a few slugs, and probably chipmunks and the like contributed to a disappointing harvest. Will probably try again next year, away from the cabbage that tended to crowd the lettuce. Will mulch and shade to provide better conditions should temperatures be too high, and perhaps plant in side yard bed where spring sun is less direct. Will also consider pesticides for earwigs and try rodent deterrents. Or, I may just plant looseleaf types only.
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