wrote in message
ps.com...
On Sep 13, 12:28 am, Jim Kingdon wrote:
I'm interested in learning if there is a version of lettuce or
"similar" vegetable that I can grow on my patio garden all year round
and not have to worry about the cold. I live in the Raleigh, NC
area. What handles the weather the best hear?

Kale or spinach are some of the most cold-tolerant.

In Raleigh I don't know if you could grow them all winter. I'm
guessing they'd either die off at some point, or at least stop growing
for a while. But late fall and early spring for sure.

You might be able to extend the season with some sort of
mini-greenhouse, for example
this:http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/su...tio_growhouses...
or
this:http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/su...tio_growhouses...
(something similar to the latter can be made from scavenged plastic
bottles or the like)

Sorry if I belabor this point, but if I get a greenhouse like those
shown in this link, will I be able to keep my lettuce on my backdoor
patio without fear of them freezing? I really would like a system so
that I can grow my own lettuce and veggies year round, and if this
will work, it's probably the best. The next option is probably a
"window sill" device indoors with some sort of lighting system. This
greenhouse on the patio seems to be the cheapest...

Thanks


Two things:

1) I asked you yesterday how cold it gets during your winters. Never got an
answer. That's important information for this discussion. Your greenhouse
question cannnot be accurately answered without this information.

2) Window sill: Do you have a south window that will not be blocked by any
bush, shrub, overhang, etc? If not, you'll need to use supplemental light.
To duplicate sunlight, you'll need about 10,000 watts worth of fixtures.
Unless lettuce is terribly overpriced at your stores, you're probably better
off buying it.