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Aerows

(39,961 posts)
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:12 PM Mar 2014

I got some of the peat cups and started my plants!

I have started the following - Heirloom Tabasco Peppers, Beefsteak Tomatoes and Brandywine Tomatoes.

I'm probably going to mother hen them to death, but I'd REALLY like for them to be successful. Right now they are inside in the little compartments. I also have lettuce to put out, too.

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I got some of the peat cups and started my plants! (Original Post) Aerows Mar 2014 OP
You won't mother hen them to death. Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #1
I haven't put the lettuce out yet Aerows Mar 2014 #2
Lettuce will do fine with those temps. Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #3
Oh! I thought it needed to be warmer Aerows Mar 2014 #4
I read online that butter lettuce might just do better in buckets Aerows Mar 2014 #5
I have not grown butter lettuce, so don't know. Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #6
See, I'm in a climate that is about like Houston, but more humid Aerows Mar 2014 #7
But more humid?????? Curmudgeoness Mar 2014 #8
I'm already growing alfalfa sprouts inside Aerows Mar 2014 #9
I'm so thrilled I could just about burst Aerows Apr 2014 #10

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
1. You won't mother hen them to death.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:19 PM
Mar 2014

Don't overwater them, and make sure that they have air circulation when they get to about an inch high----that is where I used to kill them with too much water and they would die right at the soil line. Live and learn.

You are lucky to be able to put out lettuce already.....they are calling for snow tomorrow night here. Ugh. This has been a very long winter.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
2. I haven't put the lettuce out yet
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:22 PM
Mar 2014

It's still too iffy. I had to take the whole box inside because the temperature fluctuations are so strange. It's 75 one day, then the next it's 55 and plummeting (like tonight). I'm on the Gulf Coast. You aren't the only person that is puzzled and flummoxed by this weather.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
3. Lettuce will do fine with those temps.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:28 PM
Mar 2014

Lettuce is one of the cool weather crops, so you don't want to wait too long on the Gulf Coast.....it will get too hot too soon.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
4. Oh! I thought it needed to be warmer
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:30 PM
Mar 2014

Thanks for that! I'll have to do that tomorrow after work! I'm intending to grow butterleaf heads and looser, faster growing black seed. It is said to be ready to eat by 40 days. I don't know, I'm giving it a shot.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
5. I read online that butter lettuce might just do better in buckets
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:35 PM
Mar 2014

I have the space for that, and some empty plant pots that I could grow them in. Do you know anything about the efficacy of going that route?

For the leaf lettuce, I may just go this route. I already grow sprouts in jars, and like to have my own produce on hand.

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-lettuce-cups-69242.html

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
6. I have not grown butter lettuce, so don't know.
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:50 PM
Mar 2014

Experiment. That is always a good idea, since what works for one person may not work for another as well. Find out what works for you.

I grow my leaf lettuce in window boxes, and it doesn't do too bad but would probably do better in a larger container. Growing it in the ground is not an option for me here because of the rabbits.

But I do have experience with lettuce in Houston, and I guarantee you that it will be bitter by early summer.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
7. See, I'm in a climate that is about like Houston, but more humid
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 07:53 PM
Mar 2014

I won't say hotter because hell, it's always hot along the Gulf Coast. Once it gets past 100F and 95% humidity, it really doesn't matter anymore.

If I grew it inside in a window box would that mitigate the bitterness, instead of outside?

Hell, it's 80% humidity and 63F here at 8pm and it's March.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
8. But more humid??????
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 08:03 PM
Mar 2014

My god, I don't think that is possible.

I would think that yes, it should work growing it inside....especially when it heats up outside. Try a few different things to see how they work. Let us know what works the best.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
9. I'm already growing alfalfa sprouts inside
Sun Mar 23, 2014, 08:08 PM
Mar 2014

with the "Jar method" because I love crunchy greens. I'm getting pretty good at that. I'd just like to have some lettuce in there. I don't doubt that tomatoes and peppers will grow. I worry about the cucumbers, but if they survive, I'm sure they will be okay.

And yes, more humid. I've lived in Houston TX during the summer. A FULL summer. Like I said, after a certain point, how stifling it is doesn't even matter anymore. Try moving furniture in Houston in August in the middle of the day. I know bad.

I know worse, as well.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
10. I'm so thrilled I could just about burst
Tue Apr 1, 2014, 11:31 PM
Apr 2014

My cucumbers and tomatoes are coming up like you wouldn't believe.

Of course, my tabasco peppers haven't even peeped out of the dirt, but I think I've thrown in the towel on trying to grow them.

I'll have cukes and tomatoes, so who can complain about that!?

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