Julie asks: I got some lettuce seeds from the Community Seed Library in Kona and want to ensure good results so I can take seeds back to the library. How do you recommend that I plant and care for them?
Tropical Gardener answer: This is a good time to plant lettuce, especially if you live at an elevation that gets a lot of summer rain. You’ll need to water the seeds and seedlings regularly now and hopefully be able to harvest before the ground gets too wet this summer. Heavy rain can damage small plants and excess moisture can cause root rot and create an environment for fungal diseases. In a hot, dry location, plant in a location with partial shade.
Local lettuce farmer Barry Levine starts his lettuce seeds singularly in large seed starters filled with a rich soil mix. For a smaller operation, you could use six-pack seed starters. Though Levine’s soil mix is proprietary, it likely contains fertilizers and additives that are high in nitrogen and organic matter. You could add high nitrogen products like fish meal, feather meal or blood meal to a commercial seeding mix. Including a fertilizer containing phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other trace nutrients will further enrich the soil. Adding compost would help get microbial activity started while the plants are young.
Start by mixing and dampening your starter mix. Put the wet soil into the cells of your seed starter and pack lightly. Place a single seed about a quarter inch deep in each of the cells. You may not need to water for a few days if the medium was wet when you planted. Put the starters in a sunny location and cover with netting to keep out the birds. Keep the soil moist (not really wet) during germination and a few weeks before out-planting.
Once the plants have a few leaves, they are ready to plant in the ground or in a pot where the soil is similarly rich in nitrogen, as well as in organic matter. Adding well-aged compost and/or manure at this point will certainly help your lettuce stay green and healthy. If you want to give your plants a boost half way through their cycle, you can do a foliar spray of fish emulsion or another high nitrogen product. Foliar sprays should not be applied the week before harvest. The plants will fully mature in about two months but you can begin removing outer leaves or young plants sooner.
To save seeds, leave several plants to mature un-harvested. They will flower and go to seed. If the weather is wet or rainy, take the seeds inside to dry in a sunny window as soon as they appear. Once the seeds are fully dry, you can pack them in an envelope and put them in the refrigerator to save for your next planting. Be sure to bring some to the Community Seed Library at the Kailua-Kona Public library, as well.
You can follow the same method for growing any greens; just know that cruciferous greens like cabbage, arugula, chard and kale do best in partial shade or cooler seasons.
Email plant questions to konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu for answers by Certified Master Gardeners. Some questions will be chosen for inclusion in this column.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living in a dryland forest north of Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Friday &Saturday: “Ma’ona Community Market” from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 84-5097 Keala o Keawe Road off Highway 160 (Puuhonua o Honaunau Road) on the left just before Painted Church Road (on the right). Check it out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/maona-communitygarden. More information by contacting maona-communitygarden@gmail.com or Bridget and Leisha at 808-430-8568 or 808-989-4780 or Chantal: 808-937-9800.
Saturday: “Rapid Ohia Death Symposium” from 9 a.m.to noon at in Council Chambers at West Hawaii Civic Center. Updates on the latest research, management and outreach actions followed by Q&A session and snacks. Free. Registration required at ttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/rapid-ohia-death-symposium-west-hawaii-tickets-31824014484?-aff=erelexpmlt.
”Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Sunset Farmers Market,” 2 p.m. to sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot
Wednesday and Friday: “Hooulu Farmers Market,” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa
Friday: “Pure Kona Market,” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market,” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market,” 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market.” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Tuesday through Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce,” 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, 322-4892
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo, 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu