HOW TO GROW LETTUCE FROM SEED

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Lettuce can be grown from seed either planted directly in the grown or grown indoors or under glass. The season for planting lettuce is long and if planted every few weeks from spring you will ensure a continuous crop of lettuce throughout the summer. 

Whether you choose to sow your seedlings outside or indoors, you will need to prepare the soil for planting in the same way.  Lettuce plants like a free draining, humus rich soil. During the autumn/winter start preparing the beds by digging them over and incorporating some well rotted farm yard manure or leaf mould. Rake the soil to a fine tilth a week before planting, incorporating a general fertiliser.


When planting spring lettuce outside directly into the soil wait until the worst of the frosts are over. It will take 6-14 weeks from planting to harvesting your lettuce, depending on variety. They like a sunny position but will benefit from being grown inside a small poly tunnel. Summer lettuce will benefit from being in a partially shaded area to prevent extremes of heat. Sow the seeds in 2cm deep drills, rows spaced 15cm apart. Thin seedlings when they are 5cm high, leaving 15-25 cm between each plant.  Sow successive seeds every few weeks to ensure a continuous crop of lettuce.

Lettuce can be sown indoors or in a heated greenhouse to give your seedlings a head start. Plant seedlings directly into individual cells or small pots. Use John Innes 'seed and potting' mix, settling the compost by tapping the side of the container. Sow several sees into each cell and cover lightly with compost and firm. Water gently and place in mini propagator in a bright, warm place, but out of direct sunlight. Open vents to ensure good ventilation.

Prick out seedlings when they are 5cm high.  Before planting your lettuce seedlings, you will have to harden them off for several weeks. Either place them in well lit, unheated room or place them outside in the day remembering to bring them in EVERY night. Do not place them outside if it is windy or below 6 degrees Celsius. You may wish to use a cold frame to harden plants off. Plant when the risk of frosts have passed.

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