The Happiest of Happy Hours in Quite Awhile
Summer Lettuce Project at JGTF
On occasion, the staff at New Roots like to showcase some alternative methods for the farmers in training, thus this growing season we asked the question:
Can you grow lettuce all summer long? Sure you can!
It just takes a little farm engineering and being selective about varieties. In recent years, we were able to open the Diana Eisman Community Greenhouse, and this freed up the old greenhouse at Juniper and allowed for some repurposing. Here’s a peek into our summer lettuce project at Juniper Gardens Training Farm this season.
First, all the plastic and benches were removed from the high tunnel. The soil was left exposed to the winter so that frost heave could start to work on the compaction. Next, the area was broadforked and some compost was worked in.
In the spring the tunnel was covered with shade cloth rather than greenhouse plastic. Next beds were shaped and made ready to showcase a summer planting of lettuce.
Mark Gawron, Farm Operations Manager, started the lettuce seedlings at home in a nice cool environment so that they could get established. He chose the varieties Cecelia, Dragoon, Truchas, and a Salavanova mix- all known for their better heat tolerance and slow to bolt characteristics.
Volunteers from NextStep helped us plant all the lettuces, and sprinklers were set up. The irrigation runs on timers to give the lettuce a little cool down every few hours through the heat of the day.
Thus far, outside of some (not terribly surprising) pest pressure, even into the serious temps of August, things are going great. Check back soon for updates!
