Salad crops contain numerous beneficial properties and are also used in many dishes and as decorations. They can be grown not only during the planting season but also in a greenhouse during the cold season. This can even be a profitable venture, as the plant requires little attention.
Characteristics
Lettuce is an annual crop, harvesting both its fruit and seeds in just one season. It's eaten fresh, often combined with vegetables. Dress the lettuce leaves with vegetable or olive oil, regular or balsamic vinegar, or soy sauce. It can be eaten for dinner or used as a side dish with meat or fish dishes. Green salads are often included in diets; they're low in calories but provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Lettuce contains acids essential for the human body, as well as minerals and organic substances. Most varieties have short ripening periods; fresh leaves can generally be harvested within a month of planting.
Common varieties of lettuce:
- Head lettuce – tolerates cold well and ripens quickly. The harvest is usually in the spring, as the leaves are believed to contain a large amount of fiber and vitamins at this time.
- Leaf lettuce can be grown in both spring and winter. However, it has its drawbacks: it can't be stored for long periods of time, as it will spoil. It doesn't transport well. It's also important to harvest within the harvesting period, otherwise the leaves will become overripe and tough.
- Romaine lettuce is a loose, artificially formed head of cabbage. The foliage is tied together in the center of the plant. The seeds are sown when the weather warms, and to speed up harvesting, seedlings are used. This variety of lettuce doesn't keep well, so the heads are dug up along with the roots and a small clump of soil.
- Asparagus salad – must be cooked before eating. The plant's stems reach a height of up to a meter. Before eating, the stems are first peeled, then boiled or steamed. They are then fried in batter. To prolong shelf life, the plant is dug up by the roots and stored in a dry, dark, and cool place.
The Perks and Challenges of Growing Lettuce for Sale
Many gardeners, having gained experience, are thinking about making a profit from their vegetable gardening. Herbs are one of the most low-maintenance crops. They grow very quickly and don't require much fertilizer. They are rarely attacked by pests and diseases. A market analysis reveals that herbs are in demand year-round, guaranteeing a good sale.
Growing lettuce on a small scale isn't very profitable, considering the costs of purchasing seeds, fertilizer, irrigation water, and heating during the cold season. Industrial production is a viable option, but only if there's the opportunity to sell the produce wholesale or retail. Otherwise, the harvest, the result of all the effort and investment, will simply be wasted.
Currently, few grow lettuce in greenhouses for sale in winter. Therefore, competition will be limited, and the price of vegetables in winter is much higher than in summer. The return on investment will be higher in regions with warmer climates, as greenhouse heating costs will be much lower. Selling the produce outside the growing area is possible, but then you need to consider transportation costs and select varieties that keep well and are easy to transport. After all, the lettuce must have an attractive presentation.
Knowing the wholesale price of produce and the approximate costs of greenhouse maintenance and consumables, you can calculate a rough profit. However, it could be lower or higher; for example, in a harsh winter, heating costs will increase, naturally reducing profits. An early spring, on the other hand, will increase income. The return on investment for a "green" business is often higher than for vegetable growing, reaching 20 to 30 percent. After all, what better way to spend your winter than generating and implementing new ideas?
Greenhouse requirements
If in summer for Open ground is suitable for growing lettuce, you can't get by in winter without a sturdy greenhouse. This is the largest initial investment, but it's a one-time investment. Once the greenhouse's cost has been recouped, you can start making a net profit.
Frame and covering
To keep a greenhouse warm in winter, a sturdy structure is essential, and a foundation is essential. First, consider the size; a small greenhouse won't generate significant income, and a large one won't quickly pay for itself without established sales. The average yield ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 grams per square meter. If you plan to sell lettuce retail or in small wholesale quantities, 8 to 10 square meters is sufficient. Therefore, the optimal greenhouse length is 5 meters and the width 2 meters. This can be expanded later as sales become established.
To choose a material, you need to learn more about each one. There are three types of greenhouses:
- film;
- polycarbonate;
- glazed;
Film is an inexpensive material, but it can tear, doesn't retain heat well in winter, and needs to be replaced every three years. Of course, you can buy frost-resistant or reinforced film; their quality is much better than standard film, but they are also more expensive. However, if your budget is limited, you can build a film structure that can be replaced later.
Glass retains heat better and is much stronger; individual sections can be replaced if damaged. Building a glass greenhouse will cost more, and installation will take longer. However, you can save money; many people are happy to sell their old windows for less after replacing them.
Polycarbonate is a relatively new greenhouse material; it's highly durable and long-lasting. It's lightweight, so building a greenhouse yourself is quick and easy. The material retains heat well, reducing heating costs. However, polycarbonate is expensive, so it's only used on an industrial scale.
The frame is most often made of wood, as metal cools very quickly and lowers the temperature in the greenhouse. Wooden beams retain heat better, but before installation, they must be treated with a preservative to protect the structure from rotting and drying out.
Heating
In any case, a greenhouse requires heating, and infrared heaters are the most convenient option, as they quickly warm the soil and maintain the temperature within the shelter. Furthermore, they are easy to transport and require no special skills for installation. The downside of this type of heating is the ongoing costs, as they rely on electricity.
You can also build a wood-burning stove. Pipes are laid throughout the greenhouse, heated by the smoke passing through them. Carbon monoxide escapes through the chimney, and the air in the shelter is heated. This is, of course, cheaper, but requires constant attention; wood must be added every four hours.
Supplemental heating can also be used. At night, the walls can be covered with agrofibre. A mulch of plant residues with added manure or droppings maintains soil temperature well; as they decompose, they release a large amount of heat.
Watering
Lettuce plants can't thrive without regular watering. Use only clean, warm water. Drip irrigation is considered the most optimal method. It's easy to set up: install a large barrel in the shelter, attach a pump to it, and place porous hoses in the beds, which are attached to the pump. Pipes from the water supply are installed to supply water to the container, making sure to insulate them, otherwise the water may freeze in cold weather.
How to Grow Salad Crops in a Greenhouse in Winter
Growing lettuce isn't labor-intensive; with the right desire and a suitable heated greenhouse, growing lettuce is easy. Another important requirement for lettuce is adequate light, so in some regions, supplemental lighting may be necessary. Seeds are sown in greenhouses in September, and the harvest can continue through December. Sowing can also be done in January, in which case fresh leaves can be harvested until March. The rest of the year, lettuce can be grown outdoors. Demand for lettuce is very high, as many people adhere to a healthy diet. And there will be plenty of orders for this vegetable during the New Year holidays.
Lettuce is grown on an industrial scale using hydroponics. Initially, automated systems are required to control humidity, temperature, and lighting. Seeds are planted in special containers, 2-3 to a container. A growth medium is then added to promote active plant growth. The containers have holes at the bottom for root growth. Once the roots have emerged, the containers are placed in a special trough, one row at a time. Water enriched with vitamins and nutrients is then supplied through the trough. The composition is monitored by sensors. This method of growing lettuce results in rapid growth, and the leaves are healthy and of high commercial quality.
Growing lettuce with other crops
Lettuce alone is usually grown during the first rotation of greenhouses or hotbeds. The crop grows quickly, requires virtually no input, and produces excellent yields. Moreover, lettuce has a positive effect on the soil, resulting in excellent growth afterward. tomatoes And cucumbers.
Lettuce can also be grown alongside tomatoes and cucumbers, sown between rows to compact the soil. To avoid delaying the planting of other crops, it's recommended to choose leafy varieties, as they germinate quickly and have a short growing season. The rows are planted every 20-30 days, and while the tomatoes and cucumbers are sprouting and growing, you can earn money selling the lettuce.
Salad Features
For beginning gardeners, easy-to-grow, fast-growing leafy varieties are ideal. These include:
- cress;
- oak-leaved;
- frieze;
Once you gain experience, you can move on to more exotic varieties, such as iceberg lettuce or arugula. They are certainly more difficult to care for, but they are also more expensive. Iceberg lettuce has a fresh aroma and pleasant flavor, and its leaves are high in fiber and beneficial micronutrients. It is suitable for those on a diet or with special dietary requirements due to medical conditions. However, it's important to note:
- the growing season is a little longer;
- the variety is demanding in terms of lighting and soil composition;
- In order for a head of cabbage to form, the temperature in the greenhouse must be 20-25 degrees; Iceberg lettuce reacts poorly to both lower and higher temperatures;
Arugula is also suitable for a low-calorie diet and contains fiber. It's less demanding. The leaves have a refreshing taste, with a slight bitterness. It's used not only as a garnish and in salads, but also added to hot dishes. The key growing conditions for arugula are:
- regular watering;
- nutritious, moisture-retentive soil;
- presence of mineral fertilizers;
- temperature regime 18-20 degrees Celsius.
Selecting seeds and sowing
Once the greenhouse is ready, all that's left is to select the seeds for sowing. It's best to choose leafy varieties with short maturation periods. The following are perfect for this:
- Lola Rossa;
- "Grandee";
- "Gourmet";
- Kitezh
- Firebird
You can also conduct a more detailed market research and choose any other variety for sowing. The amount of seed depends primarily on the size of the greenhouse and the frequency of sowing. The sowing rules are quite simple:
- the soil should be moist and loose;
- for leafy varieties, the width between rows should be at least 20 cm, and for headed varieties 35-45 centimeters;
- When sowing, deepen the seeds to a depth of 5-6 cm;
- After the seedlings appear, it is necessary to water the plantings regularly and monitor the microclimate in the greenhouse;
Caring for the crop
Lettuce crops don't require a lot of care. Each variety, of course, has its own characteristics, and temperature and lighting recommendations are provided on the packaging. Initially, water 1-2 times a week, increasing the frequency as the plant grows. Avoid getting the leaves wet.
Lighting should also be considered; insufficient light causes plants to stretch. If daylight hours are very short, fluorescent lamps should be used. For most varieties, the daytime temperature in the greenhouse should be between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 8-10 degrees Celsius. Fertilize once or twice during the growing season using:
- urea 15 g/m2;
- ammonium nitrate 10 g/m2;
- potassium chloride 15 g/m2;
The row spacing is loosened once or twice during the growing season. The harvest is 3-4 weeks after sowing, when the soil has dried out after watering. By this time, the lettuce leaves should be 7-10 cm tall.
Diseases and pests
Lettuce crops are most susceptible to fungal diseases, which arise from poor watering practices and the use of contaminated materials (soil, seeds). Young seedlings are particularly susceptible. As for pests, aphids are the most common attack on lettuce; specially developed products can help eliminate them. To protect against diseases and insects, it's essential to follow proper agricultural practices and take preventative measures.
Conclusion
You can grow lettuce in a greenhouse year-round, provided you create the right conditions and provide proper care. Growing green leaves can be a lucrative investment, especially around the holidays. After all, lettuce is an essential ingredient for many dishes, both casual and special.