November 2024
Yearning for fresh produce from your garden?
Hydroponics, water gardening, offers an alternative to waiting for next summer’s yields.
Tired of wilted lettuce on your BLT’s?
Look for Butter Crunch lettuce in the produce section of your grocery store.
You know, the rooted, cupped leaves in the ‘corsage like’ containers?
Before cleaning the leaves, cut them about an inch or so above the crown of roots.
Leave the soil on and plop the roots in a ramekin or other small dish. Cover the roots with water, about 1/4 cup.
THEN clean the cut leaves.
Set the container in a sunny window being careful not to allow the leaves to touch the glass.
Especially when the temperature outside is 32 degrees or less.
Keep the roots covered with water and try not to disturb it for a few days.
When the little lettuce leaves begin to grow you may cut them at anytime, again, leave about and inch or so above the crown of roots.
If the lettuce leaves begin to show a light green color your plant may need a pinch of granulated all-purpose plant food.
When your bacon is cooked and your tomato is sliced, cut the lettuce leaves as afore mentioned.
The darling little cupped leaves of the Butter Crunch also make charming lettuce wraps.
See how this works for you. You may wish to experiment with other vegetables as well.
Herbs, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, cabbages and even flowers can be grown by this method.
More than one type of plant can be grown together.
The key ingredient in this recipe is water.
There are Hydroponics Kits for homeowners on the market as well. Sounds like a good Christmas present to me!
I must say, green growing edibles in my kitchen in the middle of winter is a boon for me.
Not only do I have fresh food, the plants produce some extra oxygen which helps with winter mind fog.
For more information how to grow hydroponically contact the WSU Spokane County Extension at 509-477-2181 or email [email protected]
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