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Growing your own Organic Lettuce??

Hi Everyone!

I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or references that show you how to grow your own organic lettuce? I know that the whole basis of growing something organic is all about feeding the soil - I just don't know what to feed it...LOL... I definitely do NOT have a green thumb.

I was planning on planting it out at my Grandmother's house (she lives out in the country and it used to be a farm). She still has apple trees, pear trees...but my Grandfather used to spray them with pesticides and since he has stopped (over twenty years ago) we have ZERO chance of getting one apple because all the bugs get at them (which I do know is a sign of weak soil)... I am also interested in trying to revive the apple trees without pesticides of course...but wouldn't know the first way to go about it.

Sorry for all the babbling! But I thought maybe someone on here may have an idea.....

Comments

  • CarnapCarnap Raw Newbie

    Sorry I don't have a response, but I'd also like to know how much nutritional value lettuce has? I cannot find collards or kale, only cabbage in my country and so I eat tons of lettuce. Reddish green lettuce, light green, darker green, etc. I love it, but is it as good as cruciferous?

    Not to change the subject, because I would also like to know how to grow it... Maybe some lettuce expert will come along....

  • daniefondaniefon Raw Newbie

    I am no lettuce expert, but I grow it. It is pretty easy to grow, but likes cooler weather, also it needs cooler weather to germinate. I live in Northern Texas and mine is already up. I grow it as organically as possible. I have a raised bed and a regular garden area that I use. The raised bed is filled with soil that I purchased. It's not certified organic, but doesn't have anything added. I added epsom salt, I read that it added nitrogen, I think and I added organic earthworm "dirt". It produces quickly and is better if you pick it early.

  • pixxpixx Raw Master

    Sorry, emmasgoneraw, I have no advice. I'm without a green thumb, myself. Seems sprouts (which are ready in 5 to 7 days) are the extent of my growing abilities. I've tried houseplants, to no avail.

    carnap~ do a search for lettuce (or anything else you like) at http://www.nutritiondata.com . Be sure to scroll down, as there is lots of information there beyond the standard nutrition label at the top. Seems iceburg is fairly high in vit K, and red leaf is really good for vit A. :~)

    One option for variety is to grow sprouts. I know kale is available, at one of the places I shop...not sure about shipping overseas. I'm sure you could find stores that will cater to your country, for buying sprout seeds. It's extremely easy to do, and there are a few threads here on this site about it.

  • gratefultobegratefultobe Raw Newbie

    Hi,

    May not be the info you were hoping for but I really do well w/ container gardening. I bought 3 Earthboxs about 5 yrs. ago just because I always struggled with soil conditions, proper watering and pests in our yard. My parents were always successful growers. Not me. Anyhow, I know it is an investment but I have been growing tomatoes & peppers galore since then every summer well into fall (I'm in CA) and this year a friend gave me some rainbow chard and stockton onions that wouldent fit in her winter garden (that I helped her plant) and they are georgous and going strong too. Seems lettuce would be a similar crop.

    Here is the home page but check around the net for the cheapest price. Good growin!

    http://www.earthbox.com/

  • Thank you so much for all of your comments! There are many farmers markets where I live (in the summer time) and I think I may ask one of them for advice. I recently found a huge organic farm that offers lectures on how to grow your own organic lettuce (it is about a 2 hour drive to get there for me - but worth it I think!)

    If I learn something to share with everyone, I will definitely post!

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