Outdoor lettuces; summer to autumn harvests

Sowing depth: 3 to 6mm

Sowing temperature: Optimum is 18 to 21˚C, though seed will germinate well below optimum. Avoid temperatures over 25˚C.

1. Single harvest of full-sized heads
Which lettuces: all types
Where to grow: in the ground, large-compost filled containers or growbags.
Sowing method: (a) Direct seeding, 2 or 3 seeds in each ‘post’, thinning down to 1 seedling after germination; (b) Sow into modules to produce transplants.
Growing distances: 30x30cm between plants, reduced to 23x23cm for small varieties such as Tom Thumb and Little Gem.
When to sow:
• Early crops:  Sow from mid-February to mid-March. Sow indoors for modules. If growing in containers, sow undercover and move containers outdoors when the weather warms up. If sowing in the ground outdoors, cover the area with a cloche or coldframe while the weather is cold.
• Main crops: Sow outdoors from late March to late July.
• Late crops: Sow outdoors from early to mid-August.

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2. Cut-and-grow-again for teenage leaves
Which lettuces: All types, but best results from cos varieties and non-hearting types.
Where to grow: In the ground, growbags or large compost-filled containers.
Sowing method: Direct seeding
Growing distances: Anywhere between 10 x 10cm to 30 x 30cm between plants, depending on the size of leaf to be harvested. 
Sowing method: (a) Direct seeding, 2 or 3 seeds in each ‘post’, thinning down to 1 seedling after germination; (b) Sow into modules to produce transplants.
When to sow:
• Early crops: Sow from mid-February to mid-March. If using modules or growing in containers, sow undercover and move containers outdoors when the weather warms up. If sowing in the ground outdoors, cover the area with a cloche or coldframe while the weather is cold.
Main crops: Sow undercover or outdoors from late March to late July. Avoid sowing undercover in hot weather.
Late crops: Sow outdoors from early to mid-August.
Transplanting:
 

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3. Cut-and-grow-again for baby leaves
Which lettuces: Leafy and cos types.
Where to grow: In the ground, growbags or large compost-filled containers.
How to sow: Direct sow seeds 1cm apart, leaving 10 to 13 cm between rows. After germination, thin down to 2 to 3 cm between seedlings.
When to sow:
Early crops: Sow from mid-February to mid-March. If growing in containers, sow undercover and move containers outdoors when the weather warms up. If sowing in the ground outdoors, cover the area with a cloche or coldframe while the weather is cold.
Main crops: Sow outdoors from late March to late July.
Late crops: Sow outdoors from early to mid-August.
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4. Easy Peasy Gardening for baby leaves
Which lettuces: Leafy and cos types.
Where to grow: In compost-filled troughs or pots.
How to sow: Broadcast seeds quite thickly. After germination, thin down to leave 2-4cm between seedlings.
When to sow:
Early crops: Sow from mid-February to  mid-March undercover.
Main crops: Sow outside from late March to late July.
Late crops: Sow outside from early to mid-August.
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For more information on growing lettuces see
How to grow lettuces
Choosing the right variety
Easy Peasy Gardening