tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post3741994019395550170..comments2024-03-24T11:10:13.186-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: End of Season Review - Lettuce & CornMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-31231242129666008762016-02-02T09:33:45.618-05:002016-02-02T09:33:45.618-05:00It definitely is a challenge. Back in 2014, we ha...It definitely is a challenge. Back in 2014, we had an unusually cool, wet summer and I harvested heaps of salad all summer long, which set the bar pretty high - now if I could only replicate that during a typical hot summer.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-24609395233628021402016-02-02T09:28:23.020-05:002016-02-02T09:28:23.020-05:00Thanks Susie - I don't mind a "bit of bit...Thanks Susie - I don't mind a "bit of bitter" either and quite liked when my mom added dandelion greens to out salads back when we used to go camping in the 70's. The radichetta, however, was a whole lot of bitter...way too much for my taste.<br /><br />I haven't seen too many of these pest control devices actually being used, which sort of makes me question whether they work at all. I'll be interested to see what you decide to get - solar power is awesome, isn't it? Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-49977745922226380162016-02-01T21:53:02.296-05:002016-02-01T21:53:02.296-05:00Keeping lettuce growing through the whole growing ...Keeping lettuce growing through the whole growing season is certainly a challenge. I hope your solar animal repeller works. Nothing compares to the flavor of home grown corn.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01129119492962711399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-88051741310903612782016-02-01T18:51:12.765-05:002016-02-01T18:51:12.765-05:00I just had a lovely dish of stewed beans and escar...I just had a lovely dish of stewed beans and escarole - the escarole had been frozen after harvest. Similar to a chicory with the slight bitterness. But I gave a lot of escarole away. It was nice now and then but I'm not a huge fan of that bitter style of leafy green.<br /><br />I love all of the new solar powered gadgets for the garden. I don't have any yet but might invest in some pest control myself (like shiny things that wave when something comes near!). Good luck with the corn!Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354350096358468967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-66944848456794065892016-02-01T18:05:34.870-05:002016-02-01T18:05:34.870-05:00I KNEW something was wrong when I tasted it as I r...I KNEW something was wrong when I tasted it as I recalled the rave reviews you gave it. No matter the climate or soil, there is no way it could have made THAT much of a difference!<br /><br />Oy, that's another issue I'll likely have to deal with now that I've planted raspberries and blackberries. Wouldn't it be lovely if this gadget worked and I didn't have to worry about netting them.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-2907486044054451642016-02-01T17:00:06.254-05:002016-02-01T17:00:06.254-05:00After looking at your Radichetta, it is definitely...After looking at your Radichetta, it is definitely not what I've been growing! Mine looks more like a tall Oak Leaf. There are lots of good lettuces out there though. I do hope your animal repeller does the trick. It's always sad to see your veggies or fruit disappearing to critters. I need to stop my blackberry thief next year so we can get some blackberries!Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-46441795968964574852016-02-01T15:34:25.760-05:002016-02-01T15:34:25.760-05:00You said it - everything homegrown is sooo nice. ...You said it - everything homegrown is sooo nice. Well, unless you accidentally grow a bitter chicory instead of lettuce :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-36668341826836784932016-02-01T15:33:21.265-05:002016-02-01T15:33:21.265-05:00Homegrown lettuce is delicious, isn't it? And...Homegrown lettuce is delicious, isn't it? And there are so many varieties to choose from - it's hard to pick and choose (much like almost every other veg I grow, it seems!). I can't wait to hear how you get on this year with the corn - I'm sure you boys will love it!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-81559550830735573212016-02-01T15:30:19.610-05:002016-02-01T15:30:19.610-05:00I will definitely keep everyone updated - it would...I will definitely keep everyone updated - it would be a downright miracle if it did work as intended. I think the range is only about 30' or 40' but if it does a good job, I may very well get one for my front walkway - My daughter loves getting a few annuals in the spring and it seems that they always get nibbled to the ground by the rabbits in short order.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-19061811822862948672016-02-01T10:20:18.405-05:002016-02-01T10:20:18.405-05:00Lovely selection of lettuce.. can't beat fresh...Lovely selection of lettuce.. can't beat fresh pick salad to eat. Well you can't beat fresh picked 'anything' to eat! Hope you repeller works.Julie https://www.blogger.com/profile/15712709232628195386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-91812314912791890862016-02-01T07:21:28.698-05:002016-02-01T07:21:28.698-05:00Your lettuce looks scrumptious! I have had a lot o...Your lettuce looks scrumptious! I have had a lot of luck growing a variety of different lettuce. You have inspired me to grow even more. I've never grown corn, although I bought seeds last year. I will give it a go this year.Karin / Southern Meadowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06514989784715204223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-8793055029598745602016-01-31T20:40:53.599-05:002016-01-31T20:40:53.599-05:00Oh, do let us know how that solar animal repeller ...Oh, do let us know how that solar animal repeller works for you. I was thinking about using those in my own garden and in a pollinator garden I created for someone else. That's incredible that you were harvesting lettuce until the end of November! Yum!Beth at PlantPostingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10473637655960119672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-7390187949445794442016-01-31T16:56:25.119-05:002016-01-31T16:56:25.119-05:00I never thought of skunks as an issue either until...I never thought of skunks as an issue either until I started researching corn pests and they kept coming up...every year something new, isn't there?Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-12513782925907681652016-01-31T16:55:59.662-05:002016-01-31T16:55:59.662-05:00Blanching must make a huge difference. I've o...Blanching must make a huge difference. I've only ever tried those small blanched heads of witloof chicory that look like mini-heads of romaine & I quite like those, as well as radicchio, which is sometimes mixed into salads that contain regular lettuce.<br /><br />I really think that a lot of people underestimate the value of homegrown lettuce - the supermarket stuff (which sadly is the only option at the moment) really can't compare.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-31430714705073468342016-01-31T16:51:11.635-05:002016-01-31T16:51:11.635-05:00I competely agree - there really is no comparison....I competely agree - there really is no comparison. Hopefully I'm able to harvest at least one cob per person this coming year!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-80212713989718914202016-01-31T16:50:42.473-05:002016-01-31T16:50:42.473-05:00Well now that does solve the mystery - thanks for ...Well now that does solve the mystery - thanks for that Michelle!<br /><br />I had such a hard time with lettuce germination at first, then thought I found a good method in 2014, but then had issues again last year...ugh. I guess all this unpredictability is what makes gardening both frustrating and exciting as you never know what next year will bring. Plus, when you do finally figure this or that out, it's so satisfying!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-87651224775470401822016-01-31T16:48:13.463-05:002016-01-31T16:48:13.463-05:00I initially thought it was raccoons too, but the f...I initially thought it was raccoons too, but the first stalks that went down were just babies, not even a foot tall yet and the cob of corn was from a stalk that the critter chewed through and then left on the ground with the cob still on it. Fingers crossed that my new gadget takes care of whatever it is. <br /><br />Ha ha...that timing remark of mine is to be said in a decidedly off-handed way...."oh yes, now THAT is EXACTLY what's going to happen....NOT!" sort of way :) Have a wonderful week too!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-90894715508633656362016-01-31T13:33:58.888-05:002016-01-31T13:33:58.888-05:00Skunks to compete with too - you do have your work...Skunks to compete with too - you do have your work cut out and we complain about slugs!Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-71147280621719383432016-01-31T12:18:54.519-05:002016-01-31T12:18:54.519-05:00I was going to tell you about the Radichetta being...I was going to tell you about the Radichetta being a type of chicory, but Michelle has beaten me to it. I can imagine it came as a shock if you were expecting a sweet lettuce! Some people hate chicory / radicchio on account of its bitterness, but then we all like & dislike different things. In the case of chicories, the bitterness is often reduced by blanching - a technique which is often used in relation to the Dandelion as well. Despite your various problems, you still got a decent amount of lettuce. It is one of the most useful crops to grow, because a bit of lettuce goes well with so many other things. A salad just wouldn't be the same without it!Mark Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04558305122821209520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-26273160173957469972016-01-31T11:20:52.142-05:002016-01-31T11:20:52.142-05:00That's such a shame about your corn, I do hope...That's such a shame about your corn, I do hope your repeller works this year. Corn is one of those home grown veggies which tastes far superior to shop bought so well worth growing in my opinion.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-70398111266264790972016-01-31T11:15:22.862-05:002016-01-31T11:15:22.862-05:00I figured out your Radichetta problem. There is an...I figured out your Radichetta problem. There is an Italian lettuce called Radichetta because it looks like Radichetta which is a chicory which is in the veggie family that includes Dandelions. What you have in your photo is the chicory, not the lettuce. <br /><br />I didn't do a great job on my lettuce successions either. If it wasn't germination issues it was not anticipating weather issues. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong with starting lettuce seeds, but it seems likely that it's not necessarily the seeds that aren't viable when I get lettuce that germinates in pots where I've used soil that I recycled from failed or partly successful attempts to start lettuce. I have still got a lot to learn about growing lettuce!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07812702328134261533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-10965338751565573242016-01-31T09:48:33.526-05:002016-01-31T09:48:33.526-05:00I hope your solar repeller works for you.
I hate t...I hope your solar repeller works for you.<br />I hate those "mystery" pests. I had the knocked down stalks as well, but mine was the masked bandit. Can't figure what yours can be--I guess Skunk would make sense.<br />As for your sunshiney outlook (and I quote!)<br />"Of course, my timing and seeding in the spring will go exactly according to plan and I’ll be doing timely succession plantings during the summer and into the fall :) "-----Margaret---I sure hope that works for you and you give all the rest of us lessons!!!<br />Have a terrific weekSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10122524042294993949noreply@blogger.com