lettuce

Plant Height                           

Up to 30cm/12" depending on variety

Time between sowing and harvesting      

6-14  weeks Depending on Variety

Where to Sow                       

Outdoors in open ground or in containers

Sowing time                          

Late March to July  - temperature   +10C/50F.

How to Sow                          

12mm/1/2-inch deep - very thinly -  in rows 30cm/12" apart or in groups/blocks or in containers. Successive sowing is recommended to prevent a glut. Sow a few seeds every 2 weeks.

After Germination                  

Start thinning seedlings when the 1st true pair of leaves appear. Protect from slugs. Keep the soil moist but not very wet

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Growing on -  in Pots             

Gradually thin to final spacing depending on variety grown (between 7.5cm/3 inches for salad leaf varieties up to 30cm/12" apart for whole cabbage/cos varieties)

Growing on- in ground           

As above

Aftercare                               

Keep the soil moist with regular watering, preferably before mid afternoon. Continue to protect from slugs

Harvesting                             

Cut whole heads once the hearts have firmed up.  With loose leaf and baby leaf varieties, cut a few leaves from the outsides of each plant at any once time. These crop over 16-20 weeks.