Little Gem lettuce, a delightful hybrid of romaine and butterhead varieties, is prized for its compact size, sweet flavor, and satisfyingly crisp texture. This miniature romaine forms small, upright heads that are perfect for individual servings. Achieving the best taste and texture depends entirely on harvesting the plant at peak maturity before its flavor profile changes. Correct timing ensures the leaves are sweet and tender, avoiding the common garden disappointment of bitter lettuce.
Visual Cues for Optimal Harvest Timing
Determining if Little Gem lettuce is ready for harvest relies on observing its physical development, rather than strictly on calendar dates. Days to maturity (DTM) can range from 40 to 70 days after planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The plant is ready when the head has formed a distinct, tight rosette and the inner leaves have begun to blanch slightly, turning a paler green or yellow color.
Little Gem typically matures into a small head, reaching between 4 and 6 inches in height. The head should feel firm when gentle pressure is applied. A soft head indicates immaturity, while an overly dense head may be past its prime. Harvesting at this point captures the lettuce’s sweet flavor and crispness. The outer leaves should be a rich green color, and the head should look full but not yet show signs of a central stalk elongating.
Harvesting Techniques
Gardeners can choose between two methods for harvesting Little Gem: Full Head Harvest or Cut-and-Come-Again. The Full Head Harvest involves cutting the entire head off when the plant has fully matured and a single, large serving is desired. This method provides maximum crispness and is suitable for heads that may be stored briefly.
To perform a full head harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the stem cleanly at the base of the plant, just above the soil line. This technique is used once the head has reached its full, compact size.
The Cut-and-Come-Again method involves removing only the mature, outer leaves. By leaving the central growing point intact, the plant will continue to produce new leaves for subsequent, smaller harvests. Select the largest outer leaves and snip them off near the base, taking care not to damage the inner leaves. This allows for an extended, continuous supply of fresh leaves and delays the process of going to seed.
Managing Bolting and Overmaturity
The quality of Little Gem lettuce rapidly declines once the plant begins to “bolt,” the natural process of shifting from leaf production to flower and seed production. Bolting is primarily triggered by environmental stress, often involving high temperatures and long daylight hours. Once daytime temperatures consistently rise above 75°F, or nighttime temperatures stay above 60°F, the plant is likely to initiate this stage.
The first sign of bolting is the rapid elongation of the central stem, which pushes the leaves upward and spaces them out. This flower stalk indicates the plant is preparing to flower. Bolting causes the accumulation of bitter compounds, specifically a milky, white latex, within the leaves. Although bolted lettuce is safe to eat, the bitterness often makes the leaves unpalatable for fresh consumption. If a plant begins to bolt, harvest the entire head immediately, as the bitterness intensifies the longer it remains in the garden.