To extend the lettuce growing season and protect the plants from BUGS, I plant my lettuce patch and use bridal veiling as a row cover. The nylon illusion is very light weight and rests easily on the tender plants. Here in Oregon, the veil fabric is less expensive than traditional row cover fabric. Some varieties get two layers of fabric and some get just one depending on heat tolerance. I grow organic veggies for market so every plant I lose is costly to the farm income. This program has been a big help in reducing insect related losses and early bolting.

Chris Andres

When it's hot outside, there's no need to give up on your greens! Plant spinach, lettuce and radishes under tomato plants and other tall vegetables. The salad greens are protected from the hot summer sun by the dappled shade of the tomatoes, while providing a living mulch to keep the ground around the tomatoes moist and weed free. Last year, we harvested fresh lettuce and spinach all year long.

Heather Hadley

   My best friend, in the garden is black plastic. I use 3 foot wide for the walkways and cover with hay. This keeps me from sinking in the mud and best of all no weeds.  The plastic can also be used to warm the soil around tomatoes and peppers. It also gives us a head start next year on a new section I plan to till. The plastic is laid over the grass and covered with hay. This year I will let my melons grow out over this (no weeds in the vines) and by the fall all the grass underneath will be dead. After tilling I will plant a green manure for next spring. I reuse the plastic year after year.

Abby Lewellen

Lettuce in the shade garden adds a great variety of foliage. Parsley in the sun bed breeds butterflies and adds a nice dark ruffly foliage. Think of how nice red beet tops will look next to the blooms in your sunny garden. Veggies in the flower bed are an interesting and beautiful twist!

 Anonymous