On December 9 (click on link and scroll down) I wrote about placing my container grown lettuce under grow lights. They were doing very well and ready for harvest. But because I was having company decided to wait until company arrive to harvest and make a salad of homegrown lettuce as part of the Christmas meal.
Unfortunately I was out-of-town for a few days and when I returned was really busy and completely forgot to water the lettuce. As you can see from the photo below, I lost just about all.
Container Lettuce – only the one at the upper right hand corner was usable
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While cleaning up the garden in November, I found some volunteer lettuce seedlings (one of the lettuce plants had gone to seed). No idea about the variety.
Knowing they will not make it through the winter, I transplanted them into a window box. They were growing but very, very slowly. Decided to place them under the grow lights. All the seedlings were obviously happy as they grew extremely well but lost their red color.
Lettuce after 3 weeks under grow lights
Harvested the outer leaves, total weight ½+ pounds. Combined with radicchio in the fridge (harvested in late October) to make a huge bowl of salad, delicious.
After harvesting. I also sprinkled a few oak leaf and Forellenschluss lettuce seeds in the bare spots between the plants. Will see how well they germinate and grow. The few leggy plants in the box are seedlings that were growing under the larger plants (I think they are from seeds that were in the soil). Now that they are seeing the light and have space they should fill out nicely.
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The scallion stubs (click on link and scroll down) I planted are also doing well under the grow lights. Already harvested the outer blades 3 times.
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Decided to experiment with growing spinach under light also. Sowed 3 varieties in 3 different containers. Most of the seeds germinated. Will monitor their growth and make sure I remember to water and fertilize.
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Garden to Wok 
I’ve tried grow lights in the past with mixed results. I was able to get lettuce just fine but most other stuff was really leggy. Obviously I didn’t have the lights set up properly. 🙂 I look forward to your grow light success.
Happy New Year, Norma!
Hello Maureen,
Happy with results so far, will post updates of other experiments.
Part of me really wishes for fresh greens right now and the other part of me is happy not to have to worry about any plants right now. I really do go back and forth on such things over the winter.
Hello Daphne,
I am only using one of my grow stand shelf so it is not a lot of work to care for the plants, would be easier if the set up was in the kitchen instead of the basement though.
I have never tried the grow lights….those scallion greens look good.
Happy New Year, Norma!
Hello Angie,
Wish I took a photo before I harvested the scallion, the plants looked really good.
Happy New Year to you too.
Your harvest looks great!
Sorry about the first pic of lettuce but it really looks like you have a lot going with those grow lights!! how exciting for you!
Hello Karrie,
I am having fun experimenting.
Your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. It’s a delight to see your winter harvests.
Hello Michelle,
It is not much harvest as I am using only one shelf and also experimenting.
Dear Norma, wishing you (and your garden 🙂 all the very best for 2014. Stay healthy and happy. Carina 🙂
Hello Carina,
Thank you. A healthy, happy and peaceful New Year to you and your family.
I’ve never thought to set up grow lights.. once my daughter moves out I just might set this up where she parks her car. On the other hand, the cold blasts of air in winter might make that a not so great location. Arrghh, I need a green house!! I love that you managed to get more lettuce after losing that beautiful harvest, Norma!
Hello Barbara,
I too would love a green house.
With nine hours to go until all the east coast of Down Under will explode in fireworks, may I wish you all the very best for the coming [and growing 😉 !] year – be well, be happy!
Hello Eha,
Thanks. Wishing you a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year.
I admire your talent as a gardener, you really have the greenest thumb! I have completely the opposite luck. You grow food and that IS something amazing.
Happy New Year my dear friend Norma, I wish only the best for you XOXO.
Eva
Hello Eva,
I have my share of garden failures and disappointments.
Wishing you and JT a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.
I’ll echo Eva’s words, Norma. You are quite a skilled gardener. I tried a grow light last Spring and the seedlings were far too spindly to be any good. Your plants, though, are doing quite well, allowing your to enjoy fresh lettuce now, at year’s end. Very well done!
I hope the New Year is a good one for you and your family, Norma.
Hello John,
I am still learning about grow light and experimenting. So far I am pleased with the results (as long as I remember to water).
A healthy, happy and peaceful 2014 to you and Zia.
You’re an amazing gardener. Big hug and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you. Wish this year brings to the warmth of love and olluminates your path of life towards a positive direction
Hello Machisan,
Thanks.
Beautiful as always! A VERY Happy New Year to you and yours, Norma!!!
Well done you! A great harvest! A Happy 2014 to you & your loved ones, Norma! xxx
I just might need to try using glow lights after seeing your great results! Happy New Year, Norma!
Hello Sandra,
So far I am happy with the whole set up. Going to do some more learning and write a post in a week or 2.
It’s amazing to me what can grow under grow lights. And interesting how the lettuce changed colour. It’s incredible how a lettuce can grow so quickly. Happy New Year, Norma, to you and all your family xx
Hello Charlie,
I was surprised how fast the lettuce grew under the light. Will be trying other crops.