Here are some kinds of lettuce you can plant, grow, and harvest

By Benjamin Sarondo

Rice Presbitero and Michael Javier, a couple from Barangay San Enrique, Negros Occidental, established their own greenhouse farm named Balai Berde Farm, which produces lettuce through hydroponic farming and became another source of their income.

They use the nutrient-film technique (NFT) to grow three types of lettuce which are curly lettuce, red butterhead, and romaine.

READ: Lettuce be inspired: Couple from Negros Occidental venture into hydroponic farming by selling picked lettuce

Lettuce know more about lettuce:

Curly lettuce 

It is described as having bright green leaves with heavy marks on them. And instead of forming a head, curly lettuce produces a circular arrangement of leaves. This type of lettuce can be harvested 35–40 days after planting. 

Curly lettuce. (Danika Cinco)

Romaine lettuce

Romaine lettuce is characterized by its long and crunchy leaves, which are commonly enjoyed in Caesar salad because of its bitter flavor that balances the creaminess of the salad. It will take 50–60 days before it becomes mature.

Romaine lettuce. (Danika Cinco)

Red butterhead lettuce

Red butterhead lettuce will take 45–60 days before maturing; the signs to look for are when its red or green leaves begin to cup inward to form a loose head that will never become compact. This lettuce is quite healthy, full of antioxidants, and has a sweet, butter-like flavor.

Red butterhead lettuce. (Rica Presbitero)

The demand for lettuce in the market is visibly high, but luckily, this plant can be grown and harvested at home for personal consumption and can also be another source of income.

Photo courtesy of Danica Cinco and Rica Presbitero.