cut and come again leaves

[Hazelb]

I've been growing a mix of speedy salad leave and cut and come again lettuces. ( red and green leaved varieties )

I'm a bit puzzled how to harvest: Should I just cut the whole plant a couple of inches from the base , leaving it all the re-shoot, or just pick a few leaves from each plant, with the risk of it growing tall and straggly, then bolting.?

[Hazelb]

[goodlife]

Salad will eventually bolt what ever you do..so please yourself and pick how you feel.
I pick mine depending how much I need..if its just for my sandwich, its just odd leaves..if its to make large salad, scissors will get out and its 'haircut' time.
Like you said..if you leave bit of growth in the base it will grow again.
Once the plants have reached certain point..maturity..or weather change..or distress with lack of water...any of those can 'kick off ' the 'need' for flowering.

[Hazelb]

Thanks for the advice...glad to know I'm not doing 'wrong'  ;D

[saddad]

If they are big enough for a haircut sow the next lot...  :)

[gazza1960]

The mixed leaves you speak of were our 1st thing that has grown in the Polly on the plot and ive already got in the habit of taking over a plain chicken or Cheese roll with the following VinnyGaryette in a small bottle.

I just pull whole leaves and tear em up and put them in a zip lok bag then add the Vinny and shake for  30 seconds and leave it for a few mins,then add it straight away to your Roll and devour..... :D
Cant beat munching straight off the Plot...!!!!!!!!!!

VinnyGaryette

3 tbsp Good quality Olive Oil
1 tbsp white wine vinny
1 clove minced Garlic
1 tsp of Dijon or Whole Grain Mustard
few fresh Basil leaves if your having cheese in the roll
alternative to mustard is 1 tsp smoked Paprika
(for a sweet edge add 1 tsp runny honey)
(for the citrous fans,add a quick squeeze of lime)
Ground Cracked Pepper to taste
Ground Salt to taste

Gazza

[kt.]

I sowed some in a planter 7-8 weeks ago in my greenhouse.  It is about 2" tall and has now gone to seed.  Well peeved off.

[artichoke]

You are supposed to pick the outside leaves and let the centre keep growing, according to our guru, Charles Dowding.

Have you come across the fact that mixtures of "salad leaf" species are against the EU law for seeds? Mixed lettuces are OK, but mixed species (eg spinach, pak choi, rocket etc) are banned......unless packed into separate envelopes.....

RHS is working on it