Question
Hi mike: I am growing lettuce in 4 foot raised beds. They are coming good. When can you start eating lettuce? can you take leafs off and let the plant keep growing? Thnak you
jerome

Answer
Jerome, it is always best to harvest the outer leaves and allow the plant to continue growing. Lettuce will provide a continuous harvest for weeks before bolting once the weather gets hot. When it bolts, it will send a large shoot up the middle of the plant. This shoot produces seed pods for reproduction, causing the leaves to turn tough and bitter. At this point, it is best to pull the entire plant and plant bush beans or more lettuce in that spot.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike