Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NJCher

(43,928 posts)
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 04:05 AM 16 hrs ago

Everybody: Plant some lettuce!

I've been reading up on cyclosporiasis and what I'm finding is that people who have had it often blame packaged salad mixes.

Lettuce is a quick crop--some types are only 35 days to maturity. Buy some seed packets and plant it wherever you can.

Hot weather is tough for lettuce, so you might try kale and microgreens until the weather cools off.

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Everybody: Plant some lettuce! (Original Post) NJCher 16 hrs ago OP
and learn about edible weeds ShepKat 15 hrs ago #1
I always use dandelion leaves when i don't have Figarosmom 15 hrs ago #3
Wood sorrel is delicious and plentiful in my area. democrank 14 hrs ago #5
amaranth grows in my yard like a weed rampartd 13 hrs ago #9
amaranth seed makes a wonderful grain ShepKat 13 hrs ago #10
They can be popped like popcorn Figarosmom 7 hrs ago #18
Has a sharp, sweet bite NJCher 14 hrs ago #8
And many others, depending on area Bongo Prophet 8 hrs ago #12
Better know your weeds very well Jersey Devil 8 hrs ago #13
My lettice is doing fine in the heat Figarosmom 15 hrs ago #2
How far north are you .. see my post 14.... no text jimmy the one 7 hrs ago #15
WI by the IL border. But it is mostly shade Figarosmom 7 hrs ago #17
I am in southern Virginia and it's 100 degrees today jimmy the one 7 hrs ago #19
In 90s here Figarosmom 7 hrs ago #20
Good advice democrank 14 hrs ago #4
Everybody? Stacey Grove 14 hrs ago #6
You don't need a yard to plant vegetables malaise 13 hrs ago #11
My mother Old Crank 14 hrs ago #7
Lettuce is a cool season crop, likely will not go in summer heat jimmy the one 7 hrs ago #14
Plant it in partial shade, and give it plenty Emile 7 hrs ago #16
Everytime I've tried to grow lettuce, the rabbits eat it Quiet Em 7 hrs ago #21
Plant now, have lettuce in 45 to 60 days 31j20b3 6 hrs ago #22

ShepKat

(570 posts)
1. and learn about edible weeds
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 04:50 AM
15 hrs ago

So many weeds are edible so don't pull them, eat them freely (in more ways than 1)
Purslane is a BIG one- one of the most nutritious weed to eat. Even has omega 3
Amaranth leaves is another... and clover.
Weeds are absolutely wonderful in a salad.

Figarosmom

(15,292 posts)
3. I always use dandelion leaves when i don't have
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 05:26 AM
15 hrs ago

lettice. And I love the lemony taste of wood sorrel. https://share.google/dCCXabZGBjeAigIuB

You can make popcorn like snacks from the Amaranth seed heads.

rampartd

(5,964 posts)
9. amaranth grows in my yard like a weed
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 07:04 AM
13 hrs ago

i'll throw leaves in a salad or a soup, but what about the seed heads?

the little seeds themselves are used as grain , but i don't know how that either.

the dandelions are good as well .

plant lettuce and other spring greens thick and thin them as they grow. i use a big plastic tub and end up with about 4 big bibb heads.

lettuce is better in winter here, mine is already gone to seed and replaced in the tub with 4 eggplants.

ShepKat

(570 posts)
10. amaranth seed makes a wonderful grain
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 07:20 AM
13 hrs ago

no gluten tho if i'm not mistaken- so there's that. I like my gluten.
i'm sure there's videos to instruct.
stinging nettle leaves are quite nutritious when young.

NJCher

(43,928 posts)
8. Has a sharp, sweet bite
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 06:26 AM
14 hrs ago

Clover does.

Purslane is occasionally packaged and sold at the grocery store. I saw a small package the other day for $5,99.

Certain flowers can be put in salads. Nasturtium is one.
.

Bongo Prophet

(2,767 posts)
12. And many others, depending on area
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 11:40 AM
8 hrs ago

So many more, even in Texas heat.

As you say, Amaranth and purslane just pop up once you get some out there and spread around by humans or by birds.
Lambsquarters, turk's cap, mulberry (berries and leaves), even ornamental sweet potato leaves, garlic chives...all delicious/nutritious.

Garlic chives in your scrambled egg is an easy touch that tastes better than without.
Watch cooks from around the world to get better ideas.

It's a shame the permaculture forum here is so dead.

Jersey Devil

(10,912 posts)
13. Better know your weeds very well
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 11:59 AM
8 hrs ago

A relative of mine was fond of adding weeds to his salads from his garden until one day a few years ago when it turned out he was eating foxglove and ever since he's been a virtual vegetable himself. Unless you really know what you're doing stay away from weeds.

Figarosmom

(15,292 posts)
17. WI by the IL border. But it is mostly shade
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:04 PM
7 hrs ago

In a pot that I keep watered. And it's a leaf lettice mix.

jimmy the one

(2,875 posts)
19. I am in southern Virginia and it's 100 degrees today
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:13 PM
7 hrs ago

... but my leaf lettuce - slobolt - did last thru June when it was 100 for a week or so. I did keep them always shaded. Good enough but could be better.
.. had really good luck with 'nevada' brand name lettuce last year 2025, but could not find it this year at Walmart. 20 plants and four times more leaf than this year with slobolt.
.. have relatives in minnes and family history from south side Chicago.

democrank

(12,773 posts)
4. Good advice
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 06:05 AM
14 hrs ago

I have about 1 1/2 raised beds devoted to greens. In the past, at a time when I didn’t have much outdoor space, I planted greens in two window box type planters. Worked well.

A while back I happened to pass a house which sat on a small lot where the owner had three sides of her house surrounded by 5-gallon buckets filled with the healthiest looking veggies I’d ever seen. You don’t need a lot of land in order to grow veggies.

Our library gave away tomato plants in cups….two to a household….this spring. Mine are doing really well.

Stacey Grove

(269 posts)
6. Everybody?
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 06:08 AM
14 hrs ago

it's easier to just not eat packaged salad mixes.

Plus, not everyone has a yard. Or grass. Or time. Or the inclination.

It's a nice thought though.

Old Crank

(7,502 posts)
7. My mother
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 06:18 AM
14 hrs ago

Always took her excess grapefruit from her 3 miniature trees to the local senior center. Always gone the next day.

jimmy the one

(2,875 posts)
14. Lettuce is a cool season crop, likely will not go in summer heat
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 12:40 PM
7 hrs ago

I planted twenty seeds in April, ten germinated, and have had leaf lettuce daily May and June, and they just bolted early July.
You can try but I doubt will grow. They might germinate then die. Further north better chance but Idaho and Montana had 100 degrees yday.
You can cover any seedlings with leaning sticks to keep in shade, or somehow shelter them from the sun all but one morning hour for first couple weeks, and never let full sun hit them all day no matter how big they get.
Best chances wait till mid August and plant for a fall crop Octoberish.

Emile

(44,388 posts)
16. Plant it in partial shade, and give it plenty
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 12:49 PM
7 hrs ago

of water to prevent bitterness. Hot weather is tough on lettuce, but plenty of water, and a little shade will make your grow successful.

Quiet Em

(3,396 posts)
21. Everytime I've tried to grow lettuce, the rabbits eat it
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:22 PM
7 hrs ago

I've been told that I need a wire fence three feet under the garden ground and three feet above the garden to prevent that. That's too much work for me. The farm up the road sells it so I buy it from them.

31j20b3

(310 posts)
22. Plant now, have lettuce in 45 to 60 days
Wed Jul 15, 2026, 01:46 PM
6 hrs ago

Do people on here understand that gardening vegetables is often about doing things that pay-off months later?

Maybe don't plant lettuce. Maybe harvest dandelion green and broadleafe plantain, even white clover growing NOW in your lawn can be pitched into a salad bowl.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Everybody: Plant some le...