Save Loads of Cash on your Salads

So, in my initial post on saving money, my first suggestion was to grow loose leaf lettuce. Why? Because organic lettuce can cost you $9 a pound easily and if you don't eat it all quickly enough then you'll be throwing some of it out. Any beginner gardener can grow their own lettuce from seeds and pick the leaves as needed so there isn't any waste. I've grown all the lettuce my family needs for six months one year from a $3 pack of seeds. Here's a few things to keep in mind.

First, you'll need to prepare your garden or container (did I mention you can grow lettuce in containers on a deck or patio?). Lettuce isn't too picky so just be sure your soil is decent and loosened up. You don't need to buy plants at the garden center, lettuce is super easy to grow from seeds. I recommend buying a packet of seeds with a mix of different kinds of loose leaf lettuce. Loose leaf means that it doesn't grow into a head like iceberg lettuce does. This is a good thing because with head lettuce, you just pick it once and it's done. With loose leaf lettuce you can cut off leaves as you need them. My favorite is the Rocky Mountain Mix from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds but you can find seed mixes at any garden center.

Second, lettuce is a cool weather plant. It doesn't like to be hot. Here in central PA, I can directly plant lettuce seeds into the ground on Saint Patrick's Day as long as I plant them in a raised bed with lots of direct sunlight. That's right, mid-March; a full two months before the frost-free date. I can start harvesting lettuce by the end of April through the end of June. Then, I plant more in August so I can harvest it from Sept through November. Just plant a bit more every few weeks and realize that you probably won't get any in July and August due to the heat.

Third, when planting, just scatter the seeds on top of the soil or give it a light covering. Then keep the soil moist till the plants are established.

Finally, I mentioned above that I recommend getting a seed mix. Certain varieties of loose leaf lettuce can taste rather bitter on their own, such as escarole or arugula. If you get a mix, then you'll get a nice variety of flavors.

Have any of you grown lettuce before? Please comment about it in the section below!