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OT: Anyone grow their own lettuce in their house?

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op2

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I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
 
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bbrown

bbrown

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op2 said:
I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
Click to expand...
Yes, I've had lettuce and kale in the raised bed since October. Its been a very mild winter in Las Cruces.
 
O

op2

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bbrown said:
Yes, I've had lettuce and kale in the raised bed since October. Its been a very mild winter in Las Cruces.
Click to expand...
I don't know what a "raised bed" is, but do you grow your lettuce indoors?
 
Nittering Nabob

Nittering Nabob

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bbrown said:
Yes, I've had lettuce and kale in the raised bed since October. Its been a very mild winter in Las Cruces.
Click to expand...
Might I ask what variety of lettuce you’re growing?

I’m looking for something that loves shade with only 2-3 hours of filtered morning sunlight.
 
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PSU4U

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op2 said:
I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
Click to expand...
What's lettuce?
 
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ApexLion

ApexLion

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op2 said:
I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
Click to expand...
Once you grow it, do you toss it?
 
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1995PSUGrad

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Lettuce is like $1 for a head of it. Why would anyone spend time trying to grow it at home?
 
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Parkland Fan

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Jul 25, 2001
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op2 said:
I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
Click to expand...
Just be careful about the fertilizer that you use. Manure works great outside, but you might go to Plan B inside.
 
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bbrown

bbrown

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1995PSUGrad said:
Lettuce is like $1 for a head of it. Why would anyone spend time trying to grow it at home?
Click to expand...
Tell me you never had fresh lettuce out of the garden without saying it.
Besides it's not exactly hard to grow and one pack of seeds has provided lettuce since October.
 
MtNittany

MtNittany

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I buy cheap iceberg lettuce, cut it up, clean it, spin it, dry it, then vacuum seal it in a much longer bag than I need to. When I need lettuce, I cut the bag, grab some, and re-seal it. It lasts at least twice as long as regular storage.
 
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Nittering Nabob

Nittering Nabob

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MtNittany said:
I buy cheap iceberg lettuce, cut it up, clean it, spin it, dry it, then vacuum seal it in a much longer bag than I need to. When I need lettuce, I cut the bag, grab some, and re-seal it. It lasts at least twice as long as regular storage.
Click to expand...
Ditto here. I cut out the core and then flush the head with cold water and some bleach. Invert for a few minutes to drain the water and then it goes into a sealed bag.
 
84lion

84lion

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Woodpecker said:
My wife has TWO AeroGardens in my office🙄
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Back when we had our guinea pigs (the last one of our herd passed away about two weeks ago - RIP, darlin'), I tried growing lettuce using the Aerogardens for our pigs' lettuce - this was years ago. The Aerogardens require a fair amount of maintenance (they get messy) and the yield of lettuce isn't good. IMO, you're better off going to Aldi and buying their organic Romaine or Spring Mix.

Trying to grow stuff, either indoors or outdoors, gives you great respect for farmers. We'd be starving without them.
 
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1995PSUGrad

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bbrown said:
Tell me you never had fresh lettuce out of the garden without saying it.
Besides it's not exactly hard to grow and one pack of seeds has provided lettuce since October.
Click to expand...
I have. I grew up on a farm where we grew just about all of our vegetables. Seemed like a big waste of time then and my thoughts haven't changed as I have gotten older.
 
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1995PSUGrad

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MtNittany said:
I buy cheap iceberg lettuce, cut it up, clean it, spin it, dry it, then vacuum seal it in a much longer bag than I need to. When I need lettuce, I cut the bag, grab some, and re-seal it. It lasts at least twice as long as regular storage.
Click to expand...
Why do you need to store you lettuce so long? I just go buy it when I want to eat it.
 
MtNittany

MtNittany

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1995PSUGrad said:
I have. I grew up on a farm where we grew just about all of our vegetables. Seemed like a big waste of time then and my thoughts haven't changed as I have gotten older.
Click to expand...
The only thing I try to grow from time to time (w/ little success) is tomatoes. Tomatoes in SoFla is a challenge. I've tried grow bags, little raised beds, hanging baskets. The humidity or the squirrels get them eventually.

Peppers - all types - on the other hand are pretty easy.
 
MtNittany

MtNittany

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1995PSUGrad said:
Why do you need to store you lettuce so long? I just go buy it when I want to eat it.
Click to expand...
I end up throwing out more than half a head of lettuce every time. If you already have a vacuum sealer, I figured use it. And it works pretty good.
 
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LionJim

LionJim

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MtNittany said:
I end up throwing out more than half a head of lettuce every time. If you already have a vacuum sealer, I figured use it. And it works pretty good.
Click to expand...
It’s well known that real men vacuum seal their iceberg lettuce. Represent.

Excuse me, gotta get the laundry going. (Yes, literally.)

Mark Cuban was asked for some real-life advice for Joe Blow off the street, “Make your bed every morning. Do your own laundry. Putting the clothes in the washer, moving the load to the dryer, folding the clothes, that’s fifteen minutes of work, tops.”
 
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Fac

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I have always heard that Iceberg lettuce doesn't have much of the nutrients/minerals that you need.

A raised bed is an outdoor garden above the ground or sitting on the ground. Not dug into the earth.
 
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rigi19040

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Anyone have a hot house? Any suggestions for a natural heat source?


I want to build one for starter seeds. About 4x6. Manure or grass clippings would work but I don't have grass in the winter and no source of manure.
 
manatree

manatree

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op2 said:
I know what you're thinking, yet another "Do you grow lettuce in your house? thread. We can't go two days without one of those.

Anyway, about ten years ago I saw this. I giant, indoor lettuce farm in Japan.

https://weburbanist.com/2015/01/11/worlds-largest-indoor-farm-is-100-times-more-productive/

Pretty interesting. But recently I read that they now have smaller versions that you can do in your own home. And although I know this is a long shot, I thought I'd ask if anyone here has done this or knows anyone who has.

Lettuce is pretty expensive in the store. If possible it might be pretty cool to grow it in your house, especially if it comes up a few leaves per day, instead of getting a whole head at the store and then having to make sure you eat it at home before it goes bad.

What sayeth you, AKB?
Click to expand...

Nittering Nabob said:
Might I ask what variety of lettuce you’re growing?

I’m looking for something that loves shade with only 2-3 hours of filtered morning sunlight.
Click to expand...

While I haven't grown much indoors, I did fairly well with my plot at the community garden and containers outside my apartment for several years, including lettuces & greens. Here are two of my favorite sources for seeds. I liked to try growing items that weren't easily available at grocers and farmers markets. Here are two of my favorite sources of seeds.

Johnny's Selected Seeds: A wide variety of greens, lettuces, microgreens, sprouts, etc. and seeding and growing supplies.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: They carry some varieties that you won't find anywhere else. While heirloom varieties are very trendy, keep in mind that some of them are very finicky in regards to growing conditions. For example, the Japanese Black Trifele tomato, which actually originated in Russia, is supposed to be a productive and fantastic tasting tomato. I can state for a fact, that they don't do sPitt if you try to grow them in the Tudek Park community garden. Tried growing those for sic years in a row before I gave up on them.

@Nittering Nabob Two to three hours of sunlight is going to be a bit rough. Some of my containers only got morning sun and I tended to have better success with leafy greens and leaf lettuce than head lettuce. The only varieties that I remember at the moment were Devil's Ear, Claytona (aka Miner's lettuce, and the Starstruck leaf mix from Johnny's.
 
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