bitter lettuce

[Two_Sheds]

Ack!
I've got 3 rows of lettuce at various stages of growth (some shaded, some not) they all have had a drink during this heatwave and none are bolting.

But they all taste very bitter. Not fair

[rustylady]

They don't like the heat. Even in the shade the temperature has been very high round here recently.

[coreopsis]

Is it whole leaf or just the stem?Maybe try cutting it off?

[schw]

Are you harvesting in the morning? I think it helps.

[lindyloo]

funny you should mention that! i supplemented my lettuce which isnt looking that good now, with some shop bought salad mix yesterday, and where i ussually like the salad mix, this stuff tasted so bitter, and a bit like cat's pee smells ( if that makes any sense!) it was really horrid.

[gojiberry]

What sort of lettuce are they? I always think lettuce do far better in the shade and full sun could well account for the bitter taste. Try blanching them for a few days and see if it improves the taste.

Ian

[Bren In Pots]

It does seem a shame to waste it so I suppose you could always make some soup.

[Two_Sheds]

The whole thing, all of them: Clarion, Rusty and a frilly green one. Even the ones in the shade are bitter; last week they were all fine.

[Two_Sheds]

Bitter again this year, due to the very hot spring we've just had. That's it, I give up on lettuce (there's no shade on my plot until the Frenchies get tall in July)

[chris]

I quite like bitter lettuce (mixed in with other salad leaves). I am growing a lot of Radicchio as I think it adds something nice to a salad. That said though, they're intended to be like that.. do they taste similar to the chicories [is that a word? ] ?

What did you do with them last year? Guenia (whoa, that is an odd spelt word!) pig food?

[Two_Sheds]

Yep, pig food. I like bitter, sour and hot flavours but these are just nasty

[chris]

Ah well - at least it's fueling some compost

[Incy]

Haven't tried mine yet this year although the first ones are almost ready. Thanks for resurrecting this thread though TS as you've just answered my question on where to plant the next batch. Bean shade here we come.

[Flummery]

I've got mine growing between rows of spuds - they are well shaded now and seem to be fine.

[rustylady]

I've got some at the bottom of the plot where they are shaded by the raspberries and the loganberry, and some new plantings behind the peas. My guineapig loves lettuce, but won't touch it when it is bolting or ready to bolt (which I presume is when it gets bitter)