Topic: Cut and come lettuce

[amanda21]

I would like to plant some of this type of lettuce leaves on the plot but also fancy some at home for cutting first thing in the morning for my salad/sandwiches to take to work.  Does anyone have experience of growing this in pots?

I have a north facing conservatory and back garden - will there be enough sun for them?

If so what depth of pot will they need, as at the moment I only have fairly shallow ones or really deep ones so will need to be on the look out for something suitable - Will it grow in seed trays?

Thanks

[Alimo]

Hi Amanda - I grow mine in seed trays.  I've had 3 harvests from seeds sown 29th Jan. in the unheated greenhouse.  I've now started another couple of trays off so I have a continuation for eating  ;D  I'm sure in the summer they'd grow well enough outside.  They do tend to dry out in seed trays tho - so need to keep an eye on for watering.

The seeds I use are Johnsons mixed salad leaves, Thompson and Morgan Niche Oriental Mixed salad leaves (brilliant value only 69p) and Mr Fothergills the Italian Salad mix.

Last year I pricked out a couple of the seedlings and bunged them into the veg patch so they grew into large lettuces, but on the whole I like them small cut when they're tiny.  Saves a fortune on those mixed salad leaves that you can buy in the supermarkets.

Alison

[adrianhumph]

Hi amanda,  :D
                        To get a head start i have sown my cut & come again salad leaves in 3 in peat pots, filled with compost. I have scattered about 6/8 seeds in each pot, kept them in the propogator until they have germinated & then just kept them on a windowsill for 1 week. They then have had a few days outside, (on a mild day) & now have been planted inthe veg bed , covered with a cloche. In about a couple of weeks ,weather permitting the cloche will come off, & by then I will also be sowing the seed direct into the ground.  I use Dobies, spicy mix & French mix, both are very good. 

                                                           Adrian.

[amanda21]

Brilliant - thanks I have put some on the plot today and will also start some off in a seed tray.

[sandersj89]

I too grow in standard seed trays, I use a mix from T&M that gives a very tasty blend of leaves.

Sow a tray about every 3 or 4 weeks from October though to April in a cold frame or the greenhouse. We can then eat fresh salad 12 months a year and not have to eat the horrid stuff in the supermarkets:

Just nipped out the the greenhouse to take a pic of the next tray soon to be ready:



Very easy to do and most lettuce can take a bit of shade, especially later in the year.

Jerry

[growmore]

Salad bowl green and red will keep coming all season .Just take leaves off   You need ,Then it grows on ..Can be grown in a pot too ..Cheers ..Jim

[Jesse]

I also grow in seed trays, covered with a cloche until the weather warms up, and in a shady place (north side of a tall hedge) and they are fine. The salad bowl ones are good, and I'm growing lambs lettuce the first time this year and they're looking like nice sturdy little plants so far. :)