I live in the desert, AZ, and I just planted lettuce! Ooops...it's like 100+deg...will any grow?
Question:Has anyone ever known this to still produce lettuce? Will I be wasting my time? If it doesn't produce now, any chance that in, say September, some might mysteriously pop up? Is there any way to salvage these plants, and help them to grow? They're on the side yard, that doesn't receive more than 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, and I'm regulary watering them, to keep them moist. Even if they do germinate, will they just wilter away soon? Thanks for any help youcan produce :) !
Answers:
Lettuce, huh! :)) Lettuce prefers cooler temps and with 6 hours of AZ heat that may be too much for them. They should still grow, but will bolt quickly. You could try using a shade cloth to help them stay shaded and keep the temps down and allow air circulation. Maybe even use a tarp as a cover for them. If you choose a tarp, make it high enough so that you can walk underneath it or you may just be holding the heat inside of it. You don't want a tent over your lettuce.
I live in Michigan, so I don't have much experience in Arizona. My in-laws live in AZ though. I think you will probably have problems with it because lettuce likes to bolt in the summer in Michigan, so it probably will bolt even easier in the desert heat. You might try some kind of small greenhouse cover during the heat of the day. Maybe a local garden center could help you. They are usually very helpful and knowledgeable. Try a real nursery or greenhouse, not home depot or Lowe's. Your idea of trying to keep it moist is a good idea. Good luck!
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