Growing Lettuce in a Container

I enjoy growing tomatoes and herbs in pots on my deck during the summer. The location is convenient and I have almost no problems with "critters" munching on my plants. I use 5 gal. pots - one for each tomato plant. I mix several herbs in one large pot. The wooden deck gets very hot sun in the afternoon. I wonder if I could also grow a mix of lettuces in one or more 5 gal. pots on the deck. Would a 5 gal pot be big enough for a Mesclun mix? Would it be too hot for lettuce in the full sun on the deck?

Lettuce, spinach and other greens do best in cool weather. Try planting these crops in early spring or late summer so they can be harvested during cooler weather. Extend the season by growing leafy crops in the shade of your tomatoes or herbs or furniture on the deck. These smaller crops do not need a 5 gallon pot. You can try growing these in a window box, 14 or 16 inch diameter pot or other similar container.