How do you know when it is time to harvest lettuce?

Question

How do you know when it is time to harvest lettuce?

Answer 1

You can begin picking leaf lettuce when the plant is small but is rooted in nicely and anchored in. To harvest, you just  begin by taking the outer leaves each time. The plant will continue to grow taller and up the "stem." Just continue to pick the outer leaves. Once the plant has turned to seed, you no longer harvest as the leaves are quite bitter then (as "Sandy" said).

If you harvest in this method, just pick what you would use for that day and pick fresh again the next day. If you stagger the plants by planting about 1-2 weeks apart as "ed" suggested, you can prolong your harvest.

Have fun. :)

Answer 2

when it looks good enough to eat, eat it

Answer 3

You can harvest very young.

About 4-6 inches high.

Lettuce should be planted in about 1-2 week intervals to maintain regular crop through the growing season for the family.

Small plots.

Answer 4

You can harvest them any time, but don't leave them too long, especially in the warm weather, as they are liable to bolt and go to seed. When this happens the leaves turn tough and bitter.