The Knowledge Base

In the desert, it is sometimes difficult to grow delicate garden plants like lettuce. But, it can be done! Start them early, even before the last frost. And water them regularly.

Backyard gardening in Reno, NV, we've found that a certain variety - Speckled Lettuce - is fairly hardy and stays tasty sometimes even into July.  And, we let one or two plants go to seed and leave it up to the wind and the birds to scatter the seeds into the soil.  By April the next spring, the seeds have sprouted in thick patches in the raised bed. This regeneration has happened for several years now and the yield is good enough that we haven't had to purchase seeds.

This week, it's time to thin the patches of baby lettuces. And we'll continue to thin them until they have room enough to grow into mature plants.

• Posted by dp