EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

When most people think of raising livestock of any kind, they think of big farms and wide-open spaces—but we can’t all buy 50 acres and become full-time farmers. Thankfully, with the rise of urban farming and backyard gardens, you don’t need to own a lot of land or quit your day job to enjoy some of the benefits of farm life.

For my family, backyard birds are an essential part of our home garden. They are relatively low cost and low maintenance (after a few start-up essentials), they don’t require a lot of space, and they do so many wonderful things for us.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rodney Chrisman, who owns and operates Wolf Hill Farm in Bedford County. His family-run farm specializes in breeding and selling chicks (and soon to be ducks) as well as farm products. They also offer “coop-ready” chickens for anyone wanting to skip the incubator stage. At any rate, Rodney is pretty much a backyard bird expert.

According to Rodney, the practice of raising backyard birds has been quickly growing in popularity every year as more people discover the benefits. As he pointed out, chickens take feed, table scraps, grass, and bugs, and turn them into fresh eggs and the best fertilizer around.

It’s true, chickens are great gardeners. Their clawed feet act as mini tillers as they scratch at the dirt to forage for bugs and treats—and at the end of the growing season, they are great at cleaning up your garden for you! They produce nutrient-rich waste which, if composted with their used bedding, makes incredible fertilizer. But the benefits don’t end there.

There is nothing like a beautiful, farm-fresh egg and the pleasure of being intimately connected to the food you and your family consume. Furthermore, chickens are dedicated foragers, and they love to eat the bugs we detest in our yards! In fact, ticks are a favorite snack, and the average hen can consume at least 60 ticks per hour! Rodney says that even if you don’t free-range your chickens, rotating their coop to new locations throughout your yard or allowing them an hour or two of free-range foraging time will drastically reduce the number of ticks and mosquitos around your home. I live in a fenceless yard, in a neighborhood with lots of roaming pets, so my flock stays in a fenced-in coop most of the time—but I love to let them wander and eat up all those undesirables while I’m working in my garden or enjoying the evening on the back porch.

If you’re sold on the idea of raising a flock of your own, there are a few things you should know before you go out and make a purchase. First: check your local regulations. Most localities in our area have some regulations surrounding backyard bird raising. These might include maximum flock size, distance from property lines, or yard size requirements. Fortunately, most localities do allow residents to keep poultry, even Lynchburg City!

Next, it’s a good idea to carefully research the breeds available to you before you buy, and choose the breed that is best for your needs. Personally, I like chickens that lay plenty of brightly colored eggs, so we’re raising Ameraucanas, who lay blue-green eggs, and Welsummers, who lay rich terracotta speckled eggs. When it comes to ducks, we’re looking for an easy temperament and a high egg production. But maybe you are looking to raise birds for meat or want chickens with great personalities who will doze on your lap in the sunshine. Always do your research, and if you’re not sure, my friend Rodney would be happy to help!

Then, there are a few essentials you’ll need to provide for your flock, in order to keep them safe, healthy, and happy:

If you’re starting with babies, you’ll need a safe place for them to grow, away from the elements and predators. You can use almost anything as long as it is secure, big enough for all of the birds plus their food and water, and can be kept very warm. We use a big plastic tote and keep it in our mudroom.

Baby birds are very sensitive to temperature changes and must be kept very warm (80-90 degrees). Even after they’ve been moved out to their coop, you’ll want to move the heat lamp outside with them in case of cool nights. You can pick one up at just about any farm store. Slowly move the heat lamp away from the brooder as the chicks age.

Whether you are going to free range or keep your birds in a coop, their diet will require regular feedings of specifically formulated feed to stay healthy and lay eggs. Babies require protein-rich starter feed for the first few weeks of their life. Then, you’ll want to slowly transition them to a grower feed for the next few weeks. Once they are starting to lay eggs, you’ll switch them to a layer feed, which they will eat happily for most of their lives. Mix in crushed oyster shells and grit, which can be purchased with the feed, to achieve the necessary balanced diet.

Your birds need a strong, secure shelter where they can sleep, lay eggs, and be kept safe in inclement weather or while a predator is on the prowl. Remember, everyone (and everything) loves chicken, so protection is critical. Chickens and ducks require about two to four square feet of space each inside their coop, and if they are confined to a run, at least twice that outside. Bigger is always better. Inside, you may want easily accessible nesting boxes of about one square foot each, and something for the chickens to roost on. (Old wooden ladders work great!) Also, make your life easier by adding a large, locking door for coop clean-out. Their run should be fully enclosed with sturdy fencing, and you’ll want to consider fencing above and below to prevent animals that may try to dig under, or hawks that would swoop down from above. At Wolf Hill, Rodney uses hoop houses for ducks and chickens. He says they’re great because they are very secure, and they can be moved around your yard so you can reap those fertilizer benefits.

You’ll need to provide plenty of clean straw in the coop and the nesting boxes. Avoid hay, as it creates a lot of dust and attracts mites, which are harmful to chickens.

All in all, raising backyard birds is such a great experience for the whole family. “It’s good for the birds and God’s creation in general to be raised in a backyard environment,” says Rodney. “Every egg that someone raises and eats themselves helps the environment, and goes a long way to prevent some of the inhumane practices that take place in modern poultry factories.”

Not to mention that the simple good work of caring for living things and producing your own food is an invaluable experience that brings joy and contentment to all who undertake it.

BRINGING A POPULAR STYLE INTO MODERN TRENDS
Photos by 434 marketing

A century ago, farming was a dominant industry and private endeavor in our country. And farmhouses, well, that’s where farm families and workers lived. Function over form dominated these homes in structure and design. Wood was cheap and easy to come by for construction and furnishings, and shiplap preceded the sheetrock walls of today. You could say that the “farmhouse style” of the day was simple, intentional, and purposeful. There was little “fluff” because, frankly, there wasn’t time for it. >>

But about seven years ago, an HGTV show out of Waco, Texas, brought farmhouse back with a bang. We were all scrambling to find vintage, chipped pieces (or create them), and “shiplap” quickly became a household word. Every nook and cranny of our homes reflected this movement. If there was a blank space on the wall or empty corner on a counter, it had to be filled with a collage of word art, and galvanized metallic accents—the more we accessorized, the better!

“Joanna Gaines definitely set the farmhouse tone, but we all have been overplaying it,” explains Katrina Morris, owner of The Morris Manor and a new home décor shop inside James T. Davis Paint and Design Center called Katrina & Co. “Social media has also taken it to a whole new level, as we all compete to show that we live in a farmhouse—if it’s old, we wanted it, and if it was wood, we painted it.”

Currently, in our desire to embrace it, this trend has become a bit exaggerated. Simplicity of style and vintage charm have given way to clutter and visual stress. “Anytime you do too much of a good thing,” Morris says, “you lose the meaning and the beauty.”

It’s time to reign in this style, modernize it, and create a look and feel that is timeless.

Reframing the Farm

So, how can we retain the appeal of the farmhouse style and apply modern sensibilities?

According to Morris, “We need to edit the space. The key is to create focal points where, when you come into a room, you notice one or two key pieces.”

Examples include a tray with loved items corralled on it or one large—and meaningful—art piece. “Retaining clean lines and incorporating some texture and a few vintage items really refines this trend.”

Think beauty plus function. If you love a sliding barn door, go for it. Just install it in the right place and not at every doorway. Identify farmhouse attributes that mean something to you and provide purpose within your lifestyle. If you went a little crazy with painted furniture because you really liked it, keep some of it—your coffee table, desk, or media table, for instance. Otherwise, consider returning wood furnishings to their raw origins. And all that stuff? As another popular TV personality puts it, hang on to what brings you joy, and let go of the rest.

Create a Modern Mix

“What’s really exciting now is the modernization of the farmhouse trend,” Morris says. “It goes beyond editing the overkill to applying a fresh approach.” She explains that the current—and enduring—movement is to combine vintage with contemporary. “Blending raw and painted woods with clear, acrylic furniture and integrating gold or brass fixtures immediately elevates this style.”

Picture your antique farmhouse dining table surrounded by Lucite chairs, or your overstuffed leather sofa flanked by sleek acrylic end tables. In lieu of galvanized metals, gold accessories deliver visual impact and a bling of sophistication. Think high-contrast paint, too. Farmhouse style is typically awash in white, so try adding elements of deep blues or even black to add impact and pop. Morris elaborates, “The metallic tones of today’s gold and brass is the same as previous fashion eras, but the style is very different. We’ve gone from the ornate 1990s faucets to industrial goosenecks and bridge faucet styles of the 20s and 30s.”

Modern farmhouse is refined, functional, timeless. According to Morris, “Items in our homes should be collected because we love them and then displayed in a clean, simple way.”

Pieces are quality and long-lasting, typically getting more beautiful and loved over time. “And no matter the style or era of home you have—from Victorian to mid-century to new build—these elements work.”

So, let’s harken back to the days of the pioneers, with their purpose-driven abodes, and then amp up the style (because, let’s face it, most of us don’t farm our land anymore). Embrace the vintage and add chic accents.
But most importantly, make it beautiful (to you), so you love where you live.

Katrina Morris is an interior designer, social influencer, and DIY expert. In addition to her blog, TheMorrisManor.com, she has recently launched her own home decor shoppe within the James T. Davis Paint and Design Center. The line, Katrina & Co., is a curated selection of decor items and interior design inspiration, all chosen by Katrina herself. Visit her website at www.themorrismanor.com and follow her on Instagram @themorrismanor. Shop the line in person at 3416 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, located inside James T, Davis Paint and Design Center.

During the Pandemic…

“Now more than ever, home has become our safe haven and refuge. It plays a vital role in our well-being and should be filled with the people and treasures we hold most dear.” – Katrina Morris, The Morris Manor and Katrina & Co.

Doing Modern Farmhouse Right
with Rebecca Boles
Photos by Ryan and Kelly Portnoy

How did you find your design style?
I’ve always loved interior design—but I never studied it. My mom always had a country-styled home and she was really intentional about adding what she loved. It was cozy, but not cluttered. So, I’ve always loved things that make my home feel like my space. My style has definitely evolved, and I think having access to social media to get inspiration is really helpful. I’ve tried to find things that caught my eye and then figure out why I love it.

How would you define the typical farmhouse style?
It’s definitely shifted from its original intention of rustic simplicity and repurposed wood. Now, I think people tend to go overboard with too many antiques and too much distressed stuff—everything made out of pallets, for example.

What do you suggest for refining farmhouse?
For me, a modern farmhouse style has a very welcoming feel—warm and inviting. There’s a mix of rustic and modern. Our home marries modern farmhouse with a calming, cottage feel. Clean lines, lots of white, and some coastal colors with warm undertones. We have natural wood pieces that serve as an anchor to the farmhouse style. Regardless of where you are on the farmhouse spectrum, I believe everyone needs to intentionally style their home in a way that makes them comfortable and happy.

Rebecca Boles is a wife and mother of four with a passion for interior design and healthy living. Her and her husband, Jeremiah, designed and built their home. Follow along with her on Facebook (@modernfarmhouselove6) or Instagram (@modern_farmhouse_love).

Business Booster
A little press in Lynchburg Living can go a long way! Local interior designer Katrina Morris, featured in “Farmhouse, Refined” (May/June), says the article brought customers into her new shop inside James T. Davis Paint & Design Center. It doesn’t end there—Katrina & Co. is already expanding inside the store! She sent us a message saying: “The shop has been very successful so far, even with [the coronavirus]… The magazine has helped a lot! People have come in and said that’s where they saw us, so THANK YOU!”

Positive Vibes
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we rebranded our May/June publication to become “The Community Issue” and worked with a local artist for an illustrated LYH cover. We received encouraging notes from readers, including the below:
“[I got the new magazine yesterday] and just wanted to say it looks great! LOVE THE COVER and the whole issue being so upbeat and positive. … The colors are so vivid and make me smile.” – Deborah Fears Keeling

“Thank you so much for the May/June 2020 Community Issue, which warmed my heart even more about this community. …this issue just confirmed my reason for moving to the City of Lynchburg.” – Carol Pomper

Voting Begins
It’s that time again! Voting for our annual Best Of Lynchburg Awards starts July 16 and runs through August 31. Be sure to visit our website, lynchburgliving.com, to vote for your favorite restaurants, destinations, people and more. The results will be published in the January/February 2021 issue of Lynchburg Living.

Idea House in Progress
Our 2020 Idea House is under construction, and we can’t wait for you to see the finished product! The three-bedroom, Colonial-style home is located on Clayton Avenue in the heart of Lynchburg’s Boonsboro neighborhood and was designed to tie into the historic aesthetics you see in that part of the city. Follow Lynchburg Living on Facebook and Instagram for more teasers, and look for the full feature in our next issue!

We Want To hear From You!
Send us an e-mail to shelley@lynchburgmag.com. Correspondents must identify themselves; names may be withheld on request. Lynchburg Living may edit or condense.

In college I took a Voice and Diction class for my journalism major. I clearly recall our professor teaching us how to take “cleansing breaths” to prepare ourselves for public speaking engagements. I hadn’t gotten into yoga yet so the concept of deep breathing was new to me.

Inhaling deeply through my nose, taking all of the air into my stomach, and then slowly exhaling through my mouth…the whole process was a little awkward at first, but man, after that first breath, I was hooked. I could feel a little bit of stress just melt away.

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve been taking a lot of “cleansing breaths” lately.

Thankfully, since taking this job four years ago, the Summer Issue has always been a bit of a breather for me. Partly because of the season—warm days and sunshine make deadlines feel less oppressive. But also because this is the one issue of the year that’s less formulaic—a delightful hodgepodge of all that is light and bright (and possibly outdoorsy, but not always) in the Hill City.

You’ll find what I believe to be little breaths of fresh air throughout this publication, including a local scooter club that’s featured on our cover. This unique group has a passion for Vespas or Lambrettas and you may catch them “zooming around town” in their often colorful mod-inspired outfits.

There is plenty of encouragement to head outside: grow peaches, play disc golf, or even trek across the state to encounter one of Virginia’s mysterious pony herds. We also have inspiring stories that will make you smile—from our 2020 Healthcare Heroes, which include one of the frontline nurses in the local fight against COVID-19, to a new downtown mural that’s spreading the word about “Black Girl Magic.”

But before you dive in, consider taking a moment to reset: inhale, hold, and slowly exhale.

I hope this magazine is a breather for you.

All My Best,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Standing Together to Fight Racism and Discrimination

Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, there was a renewed focus on combating racism in our country—from the biggest metro areas to smaller cities such as Lynchburg. Professional and amateur photographers in Central Virginia captured powerful images as people from all walks of life came together to pray or protest. While some gatherings turned disruptive, most were peaceful and, in many cases, helped form new relationships and partnerships in the community.

Starr Hill Brewery Kicks Off Downtown Lynchburg’s Taproom Explosion
Photos by Ashlee Glen

Dan Powers shares the excitement many people in Lynchburg feel about the opening of Starr Hill Brewery’s newest location. “I can’t tell you just how often I go in somewhere and I’m wearing my Starr Hill gear and people are always asking about it,” Dan said. “People are just so excited to have us open up in Lynchburg and open up in downtown.”

Dan is the general manager of Starr Hill’s Lynchburg location at the corner of Main and 13th streets. The company started in Charlottesville in 1999. They moved to Crozet in 2005 and opened locations in Roanoke and Richmond in the past three years. Dan joined the Starr Hill team in February, but he has a lot of experience in the beer industry, previously working in beer distribution for Virginia Eagle.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many businesses in our area, but it didn’t slow down construction at Starr Hill. “The construction team, Jamerson Lewis, they have been just fantastic. They have done a fantastic job of staying on task, on timeline,” Dan said.

It did impact how they opened, though. Starr Hill started off offering beer for pickup on Friday afternoons, while waiting to hear when they would be able to open up the taproom. Then on June 19, they were finally able to open the taproom in a limited capacity.

Starr Hill offers 24 different beers on tap. Popular brews include the Ramble On Juicy IPA and The Love Wheat Beer. Dan says The Love is a hit with people who might be newer to craft beer. “It’s pretty palatable and it’s not necessarily hoppy or bitter. It’s very approachable,”
Dan explained. They don’t offer food, but you can bring food in or have it delivered. You can also get bottles, cans and growlers to go.

Dan is also working to add some outdoor seating, so you can enjoy Starr Hill’s beers while social distancing. He is turning two parking spots on 13th Street into a “parklet.” “It’s basically a pergola deck. That is something we are looking to do here pretty soon so that we will be able to offer some sort of patio seating,” Dan said.

Starr Hill is the first of several breweries opening up downtown in 2020. Others include Champion Brewing Company and Three Roads Brewing.

Local Openings & Closings
Hello! to Nomad Movies, a spin-off of Nomad Coffee that offers a drive-in movie experience.
Hello! to Fratelli Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, located on the Bluffwalk.
Goodbye to longtime restaurant Carol’s Place in Forest.
Hello! to Kissed Cupcakes in Forest at the Gables of Jefferson Commons.
Goodbye to Shanghai Express on Wards Road after 30 years in Lynchburg.
Goodbye to Cheesy’s on Wards Road.
Hello! to Hill City Pub inside the former Cheesy’s restaurant.
Hello! to the rebranded Rivermont BierHaus, formerly Brauburgers of Rivermont.
Hello! to a new brick-and-mortar location of Rookie’s in Forest.
Hello! to the Pied Piper VA, a Forest food stand offering sweet and savory pies.

BEHIND the SCENES
Timing was everything for this issue’s Art feature. As Editor Shelley Basinger scrolled through Facebook one day, she found an old post on the Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation page about a painting in the historic home, The Cocktail Party, that was listed on an endangered artifacts list. That led to more research and a call to Shaun Spencer-Hester, Spencer’s granddaughter and executive director of the foundation. Spencer-Hester loved the idea of doing a feature about the painting—and better yet, she said a curator was going to be visiting the house the following week. In late-May, photographer Ashlee Glen and her daughter, Emeri, worked together to capture the scene as Mark Wittl inspected the painting.

Lighting was crucial due to the older home’s darker rooms. Read more about The Cocktail Party and the efforts to preserve it starting on pages 41.

When making photography assignments for the July/August issue, the Lynchburg Living team knew just who to ask for our Home feature. Not only is Woody Watts a versatile, easy-to-work-with photographer, he also has a drone! This glorious piece of technology came in handy at the Smith Mountain Lake home to capture gorgeous, sky-high views of the property. Take a tour of the home starting on page 47.

After a week of rain, the clouds parted one Sunday morning in late May just in time for our cover shoot in Downtown Lynchburg. Photographer Ashlee Glen insisted on an 8 a.m. start time to catch the perfect early morning glow. Patrick Hubble and Kim Soerensen, members of the Vespa and Lambretta Club, were great sports as Ashlee gave them instructions on where to ride. Read more about the unique local group starting on page 69.

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger: Christina, you made headlines in June for your mural on 13th Street, “Make Waves,” that was created right at the height of local demonstrations about racism. How did you learn about the blank wall at Hill City Hardwoods?

Christina Davis: At first I was tagged on the social media post and then the owner, Randy Smith, ended up messaging me directly. We have been trying to get together on a project for awhile but the timing wasn’t right since I just had my daughter a couple of years ago. We agreed, “Let’s do it now. It’s so needed.”

SB: This all happened pretty quickly, right?
CD: It did—we tried not to procrastinate because we really saw this mural as an opportunity to join in on what was happening in our nation and community. With assistance from family and Randy, we spent about four days working on the mural—which included scraping and fixing up the wall. It might have taken less time if it weren’t for the heat. We worked mostly in the morning before it got too hot.

SB: Tell me a little bit about the mural. Who is it we see there?
CD: A lot of my work exhibited at the Academy Center of the Arts and other local places is portrait work—animals and people. A lot of my portrait pieces are almost like a self-portrait, because artists always put a little of themselves into everything they create. I wanted every black woman to feel represented as beautiful, strong members in our social and family circles. So this piece is coming from the community—a positive visual of a black woman and the role models we can find in our own community. “Black Girl Magic” can happen in small towns and we don’t always have to look to big time stars for that.

SB: She appears to be swept up into water. Why did you portray her in that way?
CD: More like she is setting it in motion. It’s a play on the social media movement we are seeing right now—people tagging and passing things along, tagging other women and uplifting them. “Make Waves” is just like when a hashtag goes viral, and we were hoping that would happen with #blackgirlmagic—that other people would take their own pictures and use their own visuals. Water is constantly in motion and we hope that the current Black Lives Matter movement keeps flowing as well. It is one powerful way to spread a message with almost little to no words.

SB: Personally, why did you feel a need to tackle this project?
CD: As a black art teacher and a woman having grown up here, I think our voices are very important and need to be heard. As an art teacher, you wouldn’t believe the things I have heard children say about race. I believe we are seeing the result of being silent. Generations before me were often silent or turned the other cheek, and over the past 100 years that’s proven it does not work. But I must point out this is not an angry piece. I’m trying to speak my thoughts and reach out in a strong visual way.

SB: What’s next for you?
CD: I work with lots of local camps (Blue Ridge Montessori school, Discovery Kids, Jubilee, etc.) teaching art classes, so that will be a large part of my summer. But I plan to do three more murals this summer and they are going to be in spaces that the community can see.

As probiotics surge in popularity, we asked Angie Chapman—sales associate at Nature’s Outlet in Forest—to answer a few top questions.

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger: Angie, first off—what exactly are probiotics?
Angie Chapman: Probiotics are what you call healthy gut bacteria. It’s also used to describe the supplementation of good gut bacteria.

SB: How can they help you?
AC: Your gut is what really runs the body, so having a healthy gut biome can affect how your body and mind works, how you react to stimuli, how your body heals and its immune system. You want to make sure all the little bacteria are in balance for your body’s needs.

SB: How do we develop bad gut health?
AC: Existing good gut biome can be damaged by many things including: overdoing sweets, alcohol and tobacco, certain medications and some artificial sweeteners.

SB: There are different strains of bacteria in various probiotics. Why is that?
AC: Certain strains have been proven ideal for men while others work best for women. Some target lung health and others focus on bacteria to help with mood.

SB: In what forms can you take probiotics?
AC: Probiotic supplements typically come in capsules, though some come in powders and liquids. They are also naturally occurring in fermented and aged foods such as sauerkraut and certain cheeses and meats.

SB: Should you take them on a certain schedule?
AC: We typically recommend that you take your probiotics with a high fiber meal. For some, this is breakfast—for others, it will be dinner. The reason for this is that the fiber acts as food for the bacteria and can keep it healthy while it reaches the gut. The best results will come from personal experimentation with what timing works for you.

SB: What are some misconceptions about probiotics?
AC: That they aren’t important! Probiotics are a huge factor in total body health due to how interconnected your gut is with the rest of your body. Your immune system has its headquarters in your gut, and especially now, we have to keep it in tip top shape. There is a misconception that there is a one-size-fits-all probiotic. Every body, a physical body, is different! What works for some won’t work for others.

SB: Why have probiotics become more popular in recent years?
AC: Right now, there are a lot of big names talking about them and a lot more science exploring it. The more the science brings to light and defines how bacteria helps the human body, the more people will be asking why they hadn’t paid more attention to their gut biome before.

SB: What should a person know before starting to take probiotics?
AC: A few things: First, there may be an adjustment period for any probiotic supplementation. This means for a couple days you may feel some discomfort, usually gas. This is bad bacteria dying off in your gut and it will typically subside in a few days.

Second, prebiotics could boost the activity of your healthy gut biome. There are fiber- and bacteria-based prebiotic options.

The bacteria-based ones are effective for really getting rid of those overgrown strains that are causing troubles, priming your gut for the good bacteria you’re supplementing with.

Third, you may not see a difference. We’ve had people start a probiotic regimen and say they don’t notice anything different. That is what we call “maintenance.” You’re better able to maintain an existing healthy gut biome. It’s common in people who don’t have any existing issues linked to an imbalanced gut biome.
Finally, you may not find your perfect probiotic for a while! Try different products to find what really works for you.

A Guide to Growing Your Own Greens

Conventional nutrition advice is very clear: Leafy greens should be a big part of our diets. But, let’s be honest, sometimes the green options at the grocery store just don’t look appealing, are noticeably nearing their expiration date, or, as we’ve seen in recent years, are part of a widespread recall.

If you’ve considered a DIY approach, there’s good news. You can grow a number of lettuce varieties at home with very little effort. Not only will you save money, homegrown lettuce also is more nutritious because it has more Vitamin A the closer you eat it to harvesting. And it’s not too late for you to try this out in 2020. The growing season for lettuce can be in the spring or fall. I would suggest a fall planting in mid-August, with the latest planting in mid-September to avoid a mid-October frost.

To start, first you need to find a seed vendor. Two of my favorite sources are Johnny’s Seeds and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Southern Exposure is located in Central Virginia so their growing and cultivation information is always right on target. Whether you’re ordering online or buying from a local nursery, be sure to read the cultivation information so you can grow your varieties successfully.

Then, there are many types of lettuce to choose from. This includes head, leaf, and cut-and-come-again forms. If you are curious, but are not quite ready to “dig in” just yet, go buy some of the great fresh lettuce mixes available at the Lynchburg Community Market or the Forest Farmers Market. Ask the grower which varieties they grow and make yourself a list to try.

Next, there is some simple soil preparation. Work or hand-till a small plot (about 4’x4’ is enough room) about 8-10 inches deep if the soil is not compacted. If it is a new bed, you need to prepare the soil 12-18 inches. But if you’re just not into all that work, you can take a hoe with a wide blade and make several rows side by side. Then, fill the rows lightly with the well crumbled soil. Slowly sprinkle in your seed over the soil that’s been returned. Then barely cover the seed with dirt.

I usually do this by hand. Next, take the backside of your blade, or your hand, and lightly pat the soil.

Finally, water lightly, wait and get ready for fresh greens. Lettuce grows quickly, so you will see seedlings in 7-10 days. When’s it’s time to harvest, I recommend using scissors rather than pulling it. Wash leaves in a sink full of cold water and salt, which will repel any bugs hiding amongst the leaves. Rinse and dry in a salad spinner.