Offloading Lettuce & Broccoli Heads Finally Forming

Last post was on Dec 6th.  A lot has happened in just 18 days.  First on Dec 8th I planted 5 types of lettuce seeds indoors under grow lights.  So let's first check how they are doing.

Four Seasons on the far left 4 rows was the first to germinate after only 2 days … followed closely by Salad Bowl on the right 6 rows.  The 4 rows in the middle left are Sunset.  Note the difference 9 days make.  Still have another 12 days before I transplant the seedlings into the garden.

Green Ice and Yugoslavian Red took longer to germinate.  I also had to add some more seeds to cells about a week later for which no seedlings had sprouted.  It could be that I didn't sprinkle seeds in those cells.  It helps if you are far sighted like me after cataract surgery to wear your No 2 readers when sprinkling lettuce seeds while planting.  Lettuce seeds are very tiny.  I try to get 3 or 4 seeds per cell.  That way at least one or two seeds will germinate.  I can separate them later after they are planted in the garden.

Moving on to the lettuce in the garden … I've had more fun giving lettuce away to neighbors, co-workers, church bible study participants and relatives at the family Christmas celebration.

You can see in bed 3 I have picked quite a bit of Salad Bowl (light green) and in bed 4 Antares (reddish oak leaves) & Yugoslavian Red (wider reddish leaves)

I really have enjoyed growing the Yugoslavian Red.  I also love Green Frills Hybrid which isn't very prolific.  It just looks good.  See pics below.

The Sun King Broccoli is beginning to form heads … they are a bit small this year … suspect I should have added some Miracle Grow every 2 weeks or so to get bigger plants … More focused on the lettuce this year.

Lastly, the Ageratum continue to slowly grow out front.  The number of purple blooms continues to multiply!  Each bloom lasts 3 or four weeks which is nice.