Growing lettuce

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Lettuce is really easy to grow, which is great as I use lettuce for most of the spring, summer and autumn.  You can sow a crop every few weeks to ensure a continuous supply and there are so many varieties to choose from too.

Lettuce is a great starter plant for children to grow too, and it grows easily just about anywhere and can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, pots, raised beds or direct in the ground.

You may choose to give your seedlings a head start and grow them under glass prior to planting them outside, although you can plant them directly outside into the soil too.

However 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 so 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 and incorporate a general fertiliser.

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 a 'seed and potting' compost mix, settling the soil by tapping the side of the container. Sow several seeds 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.

When planting spring lettuce outside directly into the soil wait until the worst of the frosts are over. 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 lettuce seeds in 2cm deep drills, rows spaced 15cm apart.  Before planting your lettuce seedlings, you will have to harden them off for several weeks. 

Thin your 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.  Depending on variety it will take up to 14 weeks from planting to harvesting your lettuce. 

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