I have NEVER succeeded growing lettuce here: too wet, too many bugs/slugs etc. - so I decided to try this method -
I did try this hydroponic method a few summers ago and was NOT at all successful - it was too hot and the lettuce bolted.
GREAT success now. Now I am growing about 20 heads of lettuce, and about to put in another 8 heads of another variety. When it gets too hot for this looseleaf type, I'll switch to Yukina (like bokchoy). I prefer using these bottles/jugs to keep them out of the landfill ... it makes me feel really virtuous!!!!!
So - here's the inspiration:
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/ha...
IN A NUTSHELL: once you set up the system (plant your bottle/jug/box) you simply walk away. NO watering, weeding...4-6 weeks later you harvest. In the meantime, you can cut off the outer leaves to use while the lettuce matures some more.
Here's a photo of a row of jugs I set up to plant along with what the 'net pot' and the forestry tube look like. After they are planted (or sewn with seed) I cover them with black plastic as in the first photo.
Here's an old ice chest (lid came off so I used a sheet of styrofoam to hold the pots) along with some jugs (used to hold kitty litter) already planted. The opaque jugs don't need to be covered with plastic.
Here's how I adjust the neck of the milk jugs to hold the small peat pots: make a mark around the neck of the jug where the widest part of the pot is, and then cut just inside of that mark. The pot will just nestle down in the hole.
If the opening in the jug is too large, I cut a 'collar' out of the bottom of a piece of junk plastic (yogurt/cottage cheese containers etc.) to hold whatever pot I am using.
Next project is going to be tomatoes growing in 4-5 gal. buckets....I have seen them growing and it is brilliant!!!! I am also going to try spinach this way too. Chard I can grow in the raised bed.
I use a Peter's Hydroponic fertilizer to which I add Calcium Nitrate and a bit of epsom salts.
Why so much lettuce? Well - I can share with friends and hopefully use it to barter for fresh eggs and perhaps other veggies I don't have room to grow.
BENEFITS? Quite a few from my point of view: EASY. Repurposing/recycling junk. Uses less water in the long run (not my problem here with 150" of rain per year). Can be done in a VERY small area like a balcony or a back porch. Easy to control nasty critters. Virtually don't need to worry about dirt and grit on the leaves.
Can you imagine how any plastic containers could be diverted from the Landfills?
