A head of Iceberg lettuce in most grocery stores continues to be over $2 a head. Usually less than a dollar, lettuce is now higher than the cost of a dozen eggs.
Why? First, the weather.
California and Arizona – two key lettuce producers – have endured extreme weather this year. Heavy rains, flooding and unseasonally high early temperatures have weakened harvests and there is not as much lettuce being produced. Plant diseases have also cut into production, wiping out lettuce yields in several areas. High labor and transportation costs have further fueled the inflation fire
With all those factors considered, it’s a wonder Iceberg isn’t $5 a head.
As for me, I have a ton of lettuce growing in my garden – leaf lettuce, butter lettuce and even Romaine lettuce in Nancy’s garden. We are eating fresh salads almost every day.
Growing lettuce is just one benefit of a back yard garden. Not much space is necessary for a row or two of lettuce. In fact, many are now growing butter lettuce indoors.
I think I’ll plant a fall crop of lettuce this year and let California and Arizona deal with the elements.
