Sugarloaf is a type of lettuce that only ripens in autumn. It is sometimes even referred to as winter salad. Does it therefore have special properties that allow it to survive frost undamaged? Only partially! When it comes to cold, this plant also has its limits.
Can Sugarloaf lettuce stay outside in winter?
Sugarloaf lettuce tolerates light frost down to -5°C and can overwinter in beds in mild regions. Protect the plants with fleece in late autumn and harvest on frost-free days. In very cold conditions you should harvest them by mid-November and store them in a cool place.
Harvest time for Sugarloaf Mountain
Sugarloaf is an annual plant that does not need to be overwintered. The head formed, which is reminiscent of the South American sugar loaf due to its shape, is ready to harvest around eight to twelve weeks after sowing or planting. Since this type of lettuce comes into the bed from mid-June to the end of July, the harvest season begins at the end of September to the beginning of October.
At the beginning of the harvest season there is no frost, so the question of overwintering does not initially arise. Since the sugar loaf is only in demand as a fresh cooking ingredient, it is harvested as needed, which prolongs the harvest time. Anyone who has grown a large quantity rightly asks how long the heads can stay outside in the bed.
Sugarloaf tolerates light frost
There is no need to rush when harvesting the Sugarloaf Mountain. Light frosts do not affect the plant; they even take away some of its bitterness. The only important thing is that the thermometer does not fall below -5 °C permanently.
- In mild regions, sugarloaf can overwinter in the bed
- Cover plants with fleece in late autumn
- harvest as needed on frost-free days
Do not overwinter in harsh locations
If you live in a harsh area of the country, wintering at Sugarloaf is not recommended. If high temperatures are expected to be below zero, no winter protection can keep it alive.
Harvest the entire bed by mid-November at the latest, even if you cannot use all the heads in a timely manner. If stored correctly, they can be stored for up to two months. To do this, cut off all the heads close to the roots, or pluck them out together with the roots.
Wrap rootless plants in damp newspaper and store in a cool place. Plants that still have their roots attached are hung upside down or stored in containers with moist sand.
