Lettuce vs the return of summer

[desertcat]

It figures that the year I decide to try a fall garden that I have to go out of town and that the weather can't decide if it's summer or fall. This last week we've had temps in the 60's and low 70's and my lettuce has started to sprout. Now I have to be gone for the weekend and the weather guy is predicting highs in the upper 80's!

So my question is, do my little baby lettuces stand a fighting chance of survival if I put a shade cover over them and pray that the neighbor really will water? Or should I just be ready to replant when I get home?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

If they are just getting started, they will probably do ok with the heat. Watering would help.

 

[patandchickens]

Sure, shade them really well and try to arrange water, they may be fine. And if not, what've you lost?

Good luck, have fun,

Pat, whose lettuce is all in containers now b/c *frost* is our bigger concern, well not tonight but in general this time of year

 

[bills]

We are experiencing some very hot weather during the mid day, but it seems to balance off with colder nights, and heavy dews.

So far this mix has allowed my younger lettuce, spinach, and a few other things to still do well. My arugula, which usually bolts in warmer temps, has been doing very well. Like wise with the Bok-Choi, which is another that tends to bolt.

Just have to trust your neighbor, unless you can set up a sprinkler on a timer.

 

[patandchickens]

A thing to remember is that lettuce seedlings can come back just fine from having gotten rather stretched and spindly from insufficient light; whereas once they're crispy that's it I would err on the side of way too much shade - I am not saying cover them with a box or anything like that, but a heavy covering of pine boughs or something could really help. Make sure to cover or mulch as much of the ground *around* them as possible for a good ways, to keep the whole area of soil from evaporating away water any more than necessary. Then take the shade off gradually over aperiod of a few days when you get home, so's not to shock them.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[desertcat]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I've got the water running to soak everything really well and then I've got some improvised row covers (destroyed horse fly sheets) that I'll put over them. Knew I hadn't thrown those out for a reason.:happy_flower We'll see what I have when I get back.