Buttercrunch is one of the first lettuce varieties that amateur gardeners can plant.Butterhead, also known as Boston lettuce, is high in vitamins and minerals.It can be grown year round, even in the winter, and is available on demand.
Step 1: When the lettuce is ready to eat, harvest the heads.
Buttercrunch lettuce will take between 55 and 60 days to mature.The heads of the leaves are rich green.A mature head of lettuce is 6 to 8 inches in diameter.There is plenty of time after buttercrunch lettuce matures for harvesting.
Step 2: To harvest the lettuce head, use a knife or shears.
With one hand, lift up the outside leaves of the lettuce and with the other, cut the head off the plant.The roots of the lettuce are embedded in the ground, so make your cut at a point that will keep the leaves intact.The knife has a thin blade.If you pull on the lettuce plant, you will disturb the roots.
Step 3: To re-sprout, leave behind a short swastika.
Don't dig out the entire lettuce.If you leave the roots of the vegetable plant behind, you can harvest it again.If you leave an inch above ground, the plant will grow and be ready for harvesting in two to three weeks.
Step 4: If leaves are big enough to be used in a salad, harvest them as soon as possible.
Buttercrunch lettuce can be eaten at any size.Buttercrunch lettuce leaves are usually ready to harvest in 24 days.
Step 5: Pick leaves that you need.
Buttercrunch lettuce has a loose head.Picking leaves from the outside of the plant allows the leaves to grow larger.Pick the outer leaves when they are 2 to 3 inches long, or wait until the leaves are large enough to eat.
Step 6: To remove leaves from the head of lettuce, use your fingers.
In a pincer movement, remove the outer lettuce leaves from the Buttercrunch lettuce plant.You can twist the lettuce leaf with your thumb.You can pick leaves this way until the plant goes to seed and you have to replace it with a new one.
Step 7: Cut lettuce leaves with gardening shears.
To cut individual lettuce leaves, use scissors.If you don't disturb the crown of the Buttercrunch, the lettuce leaves will keep growing and be harvest again.This method is called a cut-and-come-again method.When cutting, be careful.The plant might die if you cut into it.
Step 8: Before storing buttercrunch lettuce, rinse and wash it.
Before eating or storing lettuce, wash it in cold water.There are insects and dirt trapped on the lettuce leaves.Remove damaged leaves while washing your lettuce.There are pests to watch out for when rinsing lettuce.
Step 9: After washing it, Buttercrunch lettuce needs to be dry.
If there is excess water on the lettuce head, pat it dry with a paper towel.Spread the leaves out over the paper towel.Place another towel on top and gently press down to mop up any mess.Don't bruise the leaves.A salad spinner is a great way to dry lettuce.
Step 10: Wrap lettuce in a towel.
Buttercrunch lettuce heads can be wrapped in a paper towel to stop them from getting slimy.Store your lettuce in a plastic bag or cloth bag.If the paper towels become too wet, you may have to replace them.
Step 11: The lettuce should be kept in the refrigerator.
It is best to eat fresh lettuce.If you want to keep lettuce for a while, store it in the fridge's crisper drawer.Immediately after harvest, chill lettuce.Lettuce leaves can be kept in the fridge for up to 10 days.The heads of lettuce will last up to three weeks in the fridge.