bolters

Some of my Lettuce is starting to bolt. A month sooner than last year. I don't know if it's because the weather has warmed up quicker this year, or because I foolish forgot to plant my lettuce near the house- where it's more shady- so it got tons of direct sun.

So far only a few of the simpson variety have started this change. It's hard to even tell among all the greenery, but from a distance some of the head are obviously taller than others,

and up close I can see the leaves are spacing out as the stem lengthens.

I'm wondering if I cut down all these early-bolters down, and only let the heads that bolt latest flower and set seed to save, will my lettuce next year bolt later? or is it just determined by the temperature. Anyway, next time I'll be sure to pick a better spot, and for now, the Lettuce still tastes good in a salad after chilling a day in a dish of water in the fridge (it leeches out some of the bitterness) with a sprinkle of raisins to sweeten it. Had one for lunch today- three heads (with the worst leaves discarded) quite filled me up!