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Types Of Lettuce

How to grow summer and winter lettuces in your garden – Part 1

Growing Lettuces

It is perfectly possible by growing several varieties; to harvest lettuces out-of-doors from May until late October. They can then later be grown under cloches. Few salad dishes are complete without some type of crisp lettuce, rich in vitamins and minerals. Most have a mild flavour but Rocket, my own personal favourite has a strong peppery bite to it, even a few leaves added to the mildest variety gives added flavour to a salad.

The best results are obtained by sowing the seed in rich, well-manured soil where the plants are to grow. There are two main types of lettuce, cabbage and cos, but many varieties of both. Tall, short, dwarf, “butterhead” “iceberg” and many more, all shades of green and even red make up the varieties.

Summer Cabbage Lettuce

Soil Preparation

The soil should be prepared in the previous autumn. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil at the rate of 2 bucketfuls to the sq. yd. A week before sowing fork in a little peat substitute at a rate of 1 bucketful to the sq. yd. This will help the soil to be light with good texture suitable for growing lettuce. Add fish and bone meal at 4 oz. (120g) to the sq. yd. If the ground is not chalky also add carbonate of lime over the surface at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd.

Sowing

In the south seed can be sown from the middle of March and a little later in the north in drills 1 ft. apart and at a depth of in. (12mm) make sowings every 14 days until the middle of July; this will ensure a succession of well-hearted lettuce. Seed can be sown in trays in a greenhouse at a temperature of 55 deg F. (13deg. C.) in January if a very early crop is required. They can be transplanted out when they are big enough to be grown on under cloches; by early March they may be set out in rows 9 in. (228mm) apart.

General care

During dry weather water well, thin out the plants where necessary as early as possible allowing 9 in. (228mm) between each plant. Small or dwarf varieties need to be thinned out to only 6 in. (15cm) apart.

Harvesting

Cut those lettuces with fully developed hearts early in the morning using a sharp knife making the cut just below the bottom leaves. Remove all those that have started to bolt or they will run to seed.

Winter Cabbage Lettuces

Lettuces that are grown through winter need well-drained soil; therefore light, sandy loam is best but raised beds are an option. They require shelter and are a suitable crop to grow in the same soil that was well manured for a previous crop, such as potatoes. The only preparation required is to rake the soil over apply fish manure with a 10 per cent potash content at the rate of 3 oz. (90g) to the sq. yd. Bone meal may be used instead with added wood ash at 6 to 7 oz. (210g) to the sq. yd.

Sowing

Seeds should be sown in rows 1 ft. apart and not more than in. (12mm) deep in early September. Sow thinly, the resultant plants should be allowed 5 in. (127mm) between each plant, ensure that any thinning out is done before the winter sets in. If during the time of sowing, the ground where they are to grow is not yet ready, being occupied by another crop, the seeds can be sown in trays until the time comes to plant them into their true position. Cloches should be placed over the plants to give them protection during the long winter months.

General Care

Keep the soil free from weeds. Early March of the following year dried blood may be given at 5 oz. (150g) to the sq. yd. This should be applied between each row taking care not to put any onto the plants.

Harvesting

The lettuces can be cut as soon as they are ready and when they are required, the first should normally be ready about May or June.

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How to grow summer and winter lettuces in your garden

TO GROW SUMMER AND WINTER LETTUCES IN YOUR GARDEN

The key to growing lettuce year-round is to plant varieties that suit your climate, plant seeds every couple of weeks, and keep them in full sun to partial shade. Have some seed catalogs sent to your home and you will be stunned at the types of lettuce you can grow.

But first you have a few decisions to make.

WHERE TO PLANT

A lovely plant that grow nicely in pots as well as directly in a garden, lettuce can even be used as a border to an ornamental garden.

Lettuce thrives when the average daily temperature is between 60 and 70F so if you deal with snow or intense heat a container garden could be an option. Put the pots on wheels and they can be moved around to provide the most ideal growing conditions.

The lucky among us with an actual garden can use several tricks to encourage a good lettuce crop. There are materials available that can be draped over your plants to heat or cool them, as needed. In the heat of summer plant your lettuce in the shade of taller plants or cover it with shade cloth, and a cold frame would be an excellent choice to get the most out of your snowy winter garden.

TYPES TO GROW

There are several types of lettuce, but for a year-round harvest the best choice is loose leaf because it makes lacy little circles of leaves that never form heads. As you harvest tender young leaves from the crown of each plant the large outer leaves are left intact and act as feeder leaves for the plant. For summer production select varieties described as bolt resistant.

Combining tasty greens of mild and spicy flavors, crunchy and smooth textures with names like Deer Tongue, Oakleaf, Tango, Red Sails, Salad Bowl, Russian Kale, Garden Cress, Mizuna and Endive to your garden will ensure your salad will be full of color, flavor, nutrition, and antioxidants. Often called mesclun, seed packets containing these exciting combinations are readily available from seed catalogs. The bitter ones have the most antioxidants.

PLANT SEEDS & THIN SEEDLINGS

Plant short rows or scatter your mix in a large pot; make sure the pot is on wheels. Thin plants as they mature according to the directions on the seed packet; usually to 1″ apart. The easiest way to thin the plants is to use tiny scissors to snip them at soil level to avoid disturbing the roots.

Replant as the patch ages, every 30 to 60 days. Lettuce seed germinates best when temperatures are 55 to 80 degrees.

SOIL & WATER & FERTILIZER & WEEDS

Lettuce requires fertile well-drained soil and regular watering. A little water every day is good; be careful not to over water which can cause the leaves to rot at the base. Feed and compost regularly. Weed daily, if possible.

HARVEST

Use a sharp knife or scissors in the morning after everything has dried to harvest tender crown growth as mentioned above. But to ensure new crown growth, never pick the most central growing tip. During summer heat keep your plants well watered, shaded, and harvest frequently.

Using seeds for plants best suited for your climate and succession gardening you can have fresh salad anytime your mouth desires.

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