Harvesting Your Lettuce
Harvesting your lettuce at the correct time is important for maximizing its flavor and texture. If you let your lettuce crop sit in the garden too long, it will increase in bitterness and the leaves will become tougher. Lettuce is generally ready to harvest about 80 days after planting with seeds and about 60 days after using seedlings.
If you grow romaine or butter leaf lettuce, you should first remove the outer leaves, then dig up the entire plant and cut it off at the base. This way, it’s possible to have a second crop. With leaf lettuce, simply remove the outer leaves and let the plant continue to grow. For crisphead lettuce, let the center reach full firmness before you harvest.
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My crop is slowing starting to bolt and I was wondering how long you can harvest lettuce after this process starts? When I cut the leaf lettuce white sap comes out.Is this harmful? Also does itmatter if the leaves are a little crispy? Thanks!
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When you see your lettuce plants bolting, they need to be harvested immediately. After the plant bolts, lettuce will be tough and bitter. Instead of pulling the lettuce plants out of the ground, you can let them finish their cycle and seed. Try harvesting the seeds instead of the lettuce if it’s too late.
i found this section really helpful! Thank you for making such a helpful website!im not so worried about my lettuce now!lol