Lettuce Little Gem (Delight)
An improved selection of the Uk’s most popular type of lettuce. This sweet tasting mini-cos produces small, perfectly formed heads of tightly packed leaves. Remarkably quick and easy to grow, these versatile and tasty lettuces are also a good source of vitamin C and A. This little lettuce variety is the most suitable for small spaces, patio pots and containers.
Growing Advice
Sow outdoors March to July. Sow thinly 1.5cm deep directly where they are to grow, in rows spaced 25cm apart. Keep the soil moist and weed free at all times. Seedlings should start to appear after approximately 7-14 days. Thin seedlings out to a final spacing of 15cm apart. It is good practice to water well after thinning out, to wash any dislodged soil back around the roots of the remaining plants. Sow a new row every 2-3 weeks to extend your harvest period.
Top Tips About Seeds
- Once the seed packet has been opened, the seeds can be stored in an airtight container until required for further sowings.
- Lettuce seeds maintain their vigour for quite a few years and although there are lots of seeds in a packet, repeated sowings through the summer is highly recommended so they are unlikely to last more than one season.
Little Gem lettuces can easily be grown in large patio tubs or containers. Especially if just grown for baby leaves. Be sure to keep the compost moist at all times.
Plants can bolt, stopping the growth of leaves and running to seed too early, if stressed by drought or by extremely hot weather, especially if grown in exposed locations. Grow in a sheltered location and ensure the compost or soil is kept moist at all times.
Harvest from June to October. Leaves can be picked at any stage, from baby leaves to mature plants. Pick a few leaves from each plant and they will regrow quickly without stressing the plants too much. This will allow for a good number of regular harvests. Alternatively pick whole plants as required.
Ideas on using your Lettuce Little Gem
When thinning out just take alternate plants as they start to get overcrowded, allowing the remainder to grow on. These thinnings can then be used as baby leaves. Thin to just 5cm apart if growing space is limited and only baby leaves are required. When picking lettuces or lettuce leaves it is best done in the cool of the morning or evening, as this is when they are at their best.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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