Lettuce are easy and quick growing plants, which take up very little space. This makes them ideal
for the small garden or glass house, or even planted between slower growing plants that take longer
to mature. There are many different varieties of lettuce to suit our Cornish climate, some even ornate with
unique colours and shapes. There are four basic types, cos (also called romaine), leaf (also called loose-leaf),
crisphead, butterhead and stem (also called asparagus lettuce).
They can be grown outside during the spring and summer and through out most of the year under glass.
Lettuce will grow in almost any soil as long as it is water retentive and a neutral ph level.
The ideal location would be one that has shade from the burning mid day sun, any drying out can cause the
lettuce to bolt.
If growing lettuce's in the glasshouse sow small amounts of seeds thinly into a tray filled with seed compost.
Cover with a fine layer of compost and firm with a flat piece of wood, then water the compost with a sprinker
wateringcan. Keep compost moist at all times, germination should happen within ten days. When the seedlings have
developed two primary leaves water the compost, with a small blunt knife I prick plants out and transplant
into small pots or growning cells.
After about four leaves have formed, I normally transplant the young plants into their final position
into the glasshouse bed, giving them a good watering. Plants should mature quickly underglass, You can
pick plants even before the hearts have formed, these young leaves are an ideal addition to a healthy
sandwich. I repeat sowing about every 3 weeks in the summer, this gives a succession of plants.
Through the spring and summer lettuces can be sown outdoor thinly in shallow drills every three weeks. Thin
seedling when the site becomes crowded. Keep soil watered well in dry weather, to avoid bolting. In damp
weather conditions take measures to avoid slug and snail damage.
