Lettuce (Loose Leaf)
Lettuce Salad bowl Red and Green Mixed
A mixture of two modern, great tasting, vigorous and high yielding loose leaf varieties: lettuce Salad Bowl Red and lettuce salad bowl green. Non-hearting lettuces such as these are perfect for repeat sowings through the summer months and extended cut-and-come-again harvests. They are an ideal type of lettuce for small spaces, patio pots and containers.
Growing Advice
Sow outdoors March to August. Sow thinly 1.5cm deep directly where they are to grow, in rows spaced 25cm apart or in large patio pots. 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. Early sowings will benefit from cloche protection in cold weather.
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.
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. Keep pots in a sheltered location and ensure the compost or soil is kept moist at all times.
Harvest from April 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 Loose Leaf
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, 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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