Some Of The Most Expensive Lettuce You Will Ever See

[BilletHead]

Ok trying to get the most out of my fall lettuce. Had a fried tell me his wife kept some all winter by doing this. Maybe a smaller plot? But trying it myself. Ok I surrounded my bed with straw bales. Then made clear covers with Plexiglas. We have had a couple light frosts but did not cover then. Well tonight they are calling from 20 to 25 degrees. We planted this bed in the third week of August. Been eating well and it really tastes good. There are a few tops that are touching the bottom of the covers, we will see if that burns them any.

Why is this so expensive? Well it I bought two 4'X 8' sheets of the Plexiglas @ 79 bucks a sheet. Used a sheet and a half. Then there is the wood for the glass frames, Made three frames. Now 12 bales of straw and it will be junk by the time it is all said and done. 10 of the bales were a gift from a neighbor I helped out this summer. Maybe a dumb investment but I have done dumber things in life. The covers will be used early this Spring for getting the garden off to a good start. So let the test begin!

The patch with the leaf/critter cover,

Two of the three covers,

Fully covered and ready for the big freeze!

BilletHead

[ness]

Don't worry about the cost! It's an investment. Year around (or almost) lettuce will be your reward. There's something kinda cool about stretching the seasons.

[lee G.]

I have done that. I even used a heat lamp for the really cold nites. I used a patio sliding door.

[Wayne SW/MO]

My garden bit the dust last night. I picked the last green pepper and a gew tomatoes to fry. We still had blossoms on the beans this week, but I'm sure they're through now.

I think you garden will be worth it in the long run, between the lettuce and the quick starts next spring.

[rps]

I only grow porch pot goods now days, mostly herbs. Yesterday evening we harvested the last of the basil. Today I made it into pesto with sun dried tomatoes. I froze the product in one meal portions. The wife's pot of begonias bite the dust last night as well.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have 3 large planters with Mint, thyme, and cilantro, plush a flower pot with rosemary. I brought the rosemary in and I'll see how it does. The cilantro dies in July, but the mint comes back every spring and except for last winter the thyme stays viable all winter.

[ness]

I was out of town this weekend, so I expected the worst from my lettuce when I got back. Surprisingly its still doing good--so I dodged the bullet. Need to get the hoops on and cover things up.

[BilletHead]

Early before the temp drop we pulled off the covers and picked a big batch of lettuce. Really looking good just a few burned leaves. Got it covered back up before the snow. So far been ok down to one night 17 degrees. We will see the next test of 5 degrees Monday night. I bet we got two inches of snow here this morning. Got it swept off once it quit,

BilletHead

[Wayne SW/MO]

Have you thought about putting a temperature cube and a couple of 100 watt bulbs in it for insurance?

[BilletHead]

You know Wayne I had thought about that after Lee G. said something about a heat lamp. Not sure what a heat cube is? The planter is 12 foot long. Would a single lamp say 60 watt in the middle work?

BilletHead