Your Daily Install takes something happening now, looks at what happened before, and gives you one thing to do at home.
Print the worksheet and add it to your Household Resilience Network binder.
What’s happening now?
Grocery costs were a major worry in yesterday’s election, according to the AP Voter Poll. Whatever relief Washington debates next, you still have meals to make this week. Here is one small way to get more food from a plant you grow yourself.
Loose-leaf lettuce does not have to be one plant, one meal, finished. You can take a few large outside leaves and leave the small center growing. Indoors, a simple plant light can help keep that little growing spot going as the days get shorter.
Has this happened before?
In June 2009, schoolchildren helped harvest the new White House kitchen garden. One child described cutting lettuce, then going into the kitchen to help prepare lunch. The crop did not end at a photo or a ribbon cutting. It went onto a plate.
What happened next?
That is the part worth keeping. A growing project becomes useful when it supplies something you actually eat.
Your version can be much smaller. With loose-leaf lettuce, taking a little from the outside leaves the growing center in place for another harvest. Watch the center for new leaves. You can pick for a sandwich while the plant keeps growing.
Stop buying the whole bunch for one meal
A few leaves for lunch. Fresh herbs for dinner. The COMPLETE Blueprint shows how to start with food you already eat, in space you already have. Indoor options and simple supply ideas help you get moving without turning the house upside down.
| TAP Here for the Complete Blueprint → |
What can I do?
Already have a healthy loose-leaf lettuce plant? Pick two or three large outside leaves with clean hands or scissors. Leave the small center and plenty of leaves on the plant. Rinse what you picked under running water. Use it in one meal.
Starting from scratch? Write “loose-leaf lettuce” on your supply list and choose a small pot with drainage. Pick a bright spot with a simple plant light if needed. Today’s win: a crop chosen, a spot picked, and a plan for your first harvest.
Pick the Leaves, Keep the Plant
Date: __________________
My plant, or the one I’ll start
____________________
Meal I want it for
____________________
Leaves picked / center left growing: YES or NOT YET
____________________
Next date to look for new growth
____________________
Stay steady,
Sam McCoy
4 Foot Farm Blueprint
P.S. What would you rather pick a few leaves for: a sandwich or a salad? Hit reply and tell me.
P.P.S. Prefer a printed book beside you? TAP Here for the Spiral-Bound Field Guide →