By Jackie Rhoades
You waited until the last spring frost and quickly sowed the seeds for your lettuce bed. Within weeks, the head lettuce was ready to be thinned and the loose leaf varieties were ready for their first gentle harvesting. Nothing tastes better than crisp lettuce straight from the garden. Spring passed and summer heat arrived. Gardening websites like this one are inundated with questions. Why is my lettuce bitter? Why does lettuce turn bitter? What makes lettuce turn bitter? Is there any help for bitter tasting lettuce? Maybe.
Common Causes Of Bitter Lettuce
Most gardeners will tell you that bitter lettuce is the result of summer heat. Lettuce is known as a cool season vegetable. When temperatures rise, the plant snaps into maturation mode and bolts, that is, sends out a stalk and flowers. It’s during this process that bitter lettuce is produced. This is a natural process that can’t be stopped, but it isn’t the only answer to what makes lettuce bitter.
Too little water can cause bitter lettuce. Those large flat leaves need a large amount of water to remain full and sweet. Brown leaf edges are a sure sign that you lettuce is thirsty either from lack of water or root damage from close cultivation. Water regularly and well. Don’t let the bed become bone dry.
Another answer to why does lettuce turn bitter is nutrition. Lettuce needs to grow fast. Without proper nutrients, growth becomes stunted and bitter tasting lettuce is the result. Fertilize regularly, but don’t get carried away. Some studies suggest that bitter lettuce can also be the result of too much nitrogen.
Lastly, aster yellows phytoplasma, commonly called aster yellows, is a disease that can cause bitter lettuce. With this infection, the interior leaves lose color and the outer leaves become stunted. The whole plant can become deformed.
Why is My Lettuce Bitter And What Can I Do About It
Most likely, your bitter lettuce is the result of the maturation process and there’s no way you can completely stop Mother Nature, but there are ways you can delay the result.
Mulch your lettuce to keep the roots cool and fool the plant into thinking its still spring. Interplant your lettuce with taller crops to provide shade as the weather warms. Succession planting will also help extend the season.
If you think nitrogen might be the cause of your bitter tasting lettuce, add a small amount of wood ash to your soil.
Finally, try refrigerating the bitter lettuce for 24-48 hours before serving.
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By Jackie Rhoades
Common Causes Of Bitter Lettuce
Most gardeners will tell you that bitter lettuce is the result of summer heat. Lettuce is known as a cool season vegetable. When temperatures rise, the plant snaps into maturation mode and bolts, that is, sends out a stalk and flowers. It’s during this process that bitter lettuce is produced. This is a natural process that can’t be stopped, but it isn’t the only answer to what makes lettuce bitter.
Too little water can cause bitter lettuce. Those large flat leaves need a large amount of water to remain full and sweet. Brown leaf edges are a sure sign that you lettuce is thirsty either from lack of water or root damage from close cultivation. Water regularly and well. Don’t let the bed become bone dry.
Another answer to why does lettuce turn bitter is nutrition. Lettuce needs to grow fast. Without proper nutrients, growth becomes stunted and bitter tasting lettuce is the result. Fertilize regularly, but don’t get carried away. Some studies suggest that bitter lettuce can also be the result of too much nitrogen.
Lastly, aster yellows phytoplasma, commonly called aster yellows, is a disease that can cause bitter lettuce. With this infection, the interior leaves lose color and the outer leaves become stunted. The whole plant can become deformed.
Why is My Lettuce Bitter And What Can I Do About It
Most likely, your bitter lettuce is the result of the maturation process and there’s no way you can completely stop Mother Nature, but there are ways you can delay the result.
Mulch your lettuce to keep the roots cool and fool the plant into thinking its still spring. Interplant your lettuce with taller crops to provide shade as the weather warms. Succession planting will also help extend the season.
If you think nitrogen might be the cause of your bitter tasting lettuce, add a small amount of wood ash to your soil.
Finally, try refrigerating the bitter lettuce for 24-48 hours before serving.
Print This Article - Printer Friendly Version
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