Garden Source

The Lettuce Leaf Lolla Rossa, ‘Lactuca sativa’, has a mild but distinct flavor and that is why Lolla Rossa has a large following. It is an excellent “Cut-and-come-again” lettuce. This very attractive lettuce has a mild, unique flavor that is prized by many. In addition, the red-edged, frilly, deeply curled leaves are very attractive and they make a wonderful garnish. Lettuce is a cool season annual. Successive plantings can produce lettuce spring through fall. Plant in early spring, 3 to 4 weeks before the average last frost date, and successive plantings thereafter every 3 weeks until 5 weeks before fall frost. Lettuce likes light, fertile, moist, and well drained soils. They will grow in light shade. Lettuce grows well near cabbage, beets, carrots, chives, garlic, and onion.

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The Pepper Hot Early Jalapeno, ‘Capsicum annuum’, is a very tasty hot pepper for ethnic foods. There is a lot of hot, very tasty flavor in this small 3 inch pepper. The Early Jalapeno pepper will turn red after green if left on the vine. The Early Jalapeno Hot Pepper is as good container variety and it also makes a smart informal hedge. Transplant outside in the spring 3 to 4 weeks after last frost date. Note: To get a jump on the season transplant outside, use a walls-of-water or some black plastic to maintain and increase temperatures. Plant in average garden soil with sufficient organic matter. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often. Use gloves and do not touch any other part of the body after harvesting. Wash your hands immediately.

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The Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra, is a shade-intolerant pioneer on heavily disturbed sites, and is particularly common along road and railroad rights-of-way. Usually in clumps of several to many individuals in a clone, rarely more than 25 stems in one clone. Sumac will often be found within the first year following fire. Smooth sumac is a short-lived pioneer, which reproduces clonally via root suckers. Seed production is moderately abundant, and seeds are dispersed by birds. Growth is rapid. Lifespan is about 20-30 years, though clones can persist for centuries. Fruit is important as winter bird food. This is an important deer browse species. It is suited to group plantings in small to large yards. It is especially useful in attracting birds to naturalized yards.

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