Lettuce and Zucchini

Bob Bauer

July 24, 2016 (Last Updated: March 06, 2023) | Reading Time: 1 minutes

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July 22, 2016

The cornstalks shading the Red Sails lettuce are keeping them from wilting in the afternoon heat. The lettuce are getting dappled sunlight, not complete shade , so they can continue to photosynthesize. They also enjoy the extra humidity when I sprinkle water on the stalks. They aren't turning bitter or bolting yet so I'll try to baby them along until my Fall lettuce is ready..

We had so much lettuce this year that I started putting handfuls on my plate with my sandwich. Now I'm addicted..

July 24, 2016

I think my zucchini plants are trying to kill me. I can't keep up. I think their roots have hit the aquifer, and like Charley Sheen on coke, they're winning. My tomato plants on the other hand won't ripen any tomatoes. They haven't been watered in a month but their roots go out ten feet in all directions. I read that any stress can start them ripening so I've been sneaking up on them and yelling " BOO "..

Actually what I read is that poking a shovel in the ground about a foot from the base will cut some roots and start the process. Seems drastic to me. I wonder if watering with a mild solution of salt water would stress them properly. I've got two Early Girl plants so maybe I'll experiment..

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