Ready For Romaine

Did you know Romaine Lettuce is a very nutritional vegetable and can be compared to raw Spinach.  Romaine actually has more Vitamin A (82%) and C (19%) than Spinach and they both have about 15% Folate. But remember it’s the green part of the leaf that has the most Vitamins and Minerals.

Leaf lettuces are easy to grow from seed. They are a cool season crops and can be grown in early spring or fall. Ideal temperatures are between 45 and 80 degrees F. In the summer they can be grown in the shade of taller vegetables like tomatoes or peppers but hot weather can make them bitter.  Set out transplants about 1 month before the last frost of spring and 6 weeks before the first fall frost.  Don’t plant all your seeds at once, plant for 3 successive weeks and thin them as you harvest. Parris Island Cos was developed in South Carolina and names for the Famous Military Train Ground.  It is slow to bolt and hold up better in the heat.  Red Romaine is also available but colors up better in the cooler months. You should be able to start picking outer leaves in about 30 days or cut the whole head in 60-to 70 days. 

Growing Tomatoes in Pots

One Tomato plant needs at least 5 gallons of soil- more is better.  There are Potting Mixes especially for tomatoes and other vegetable plants.  Try Pro-Mix Ultra Organic with Organic Garden-Tone Fertilizer.  Robin recommends ½ Shrimp Compost and ½ Pro-Mix Potting soil. The shrimp compost has calcium which is important, Calcium deficiency will cause Blossom End Rot in tomatoes.   Adding a handful of Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) to plants in a pot or in the garden will prevent Blossom End Rot if you are not using shrimp compost.  It is also important not to let your soil dry out completely this will cause cracking in your tomato fruit, use a self-watering containers or pots with large saucers.   Bush type tomatoes and cucumbers are perfect for pots.  Try these Better Bush, Husky Red, Bush Early Girl, Patio, Bush Goliath and Bushmaster Cucumber.

On Facebook

We finally started a Facebook Page and our goal is to post timely information about new shipments and garden product. Fresh garden plants, roots and bulbs come and go in our store so like us on Facebook to keep informed. We will use the blog for more detailed information. https://www.facebook.com/Farmersseed