salad leaves- how big?

[caroline7758]

I've never had much luck with lettuce before, but have managed to get some salad leaves growing well in a tray. Planning to plant them out soon but I'm wondering how big they get. Would hate to make the mistake of leaving too long before starting to pick, but equally don't want to be too eager. Also, what depth of soil do they need?

[caroline7758]

[allaboutliverpool]

If they are salad leaves and not individual lettuce, such as Little Gem etc, then I would split the tray into several small blocks and plant them out.
Remember to sow some more now, and again in 2-3 weeks, and again, and again etc.

They only need a couple of inches of soil provided you keep it damp.

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

[tim]

Pick as soon as you can comfortably grab a stem. Certainly no more that 6".

And heed the again bit!!

[Jeannine]

My salad box is about 3 feet long x2 feet wide x10 inches deep. 2/3rds are loose lettuce  and the remaining 1/3rd is  half radish and half spring onion. I grow them all year round.For young leaves start cutting them at about 4 inches tall, cut with scissors,they will regrow. You can also take some out and pot them on to go to full size lettuce. I mix my own leaves and recognise them as little seedlings now.

I don't reseed  the lettuce very often, only when it is getting a bit sparse.

Radishes I do however, about every 2 weeks.

It doesn't need to be this big and you can grow in less depth but I prefer the extra depth as they seem to do better.

XX Jeannine

[mikey]

Jeannine,

like your idea of a 'salad box' ... will try it this season

In the past I have grown in the ground in a mixture of soil, old growbags, home made compost and a 'pinch' of well rotted GeeGee Pooh.

What do you grow in ??? any secret ingedients  ;) ;D

[Jeannine]

Just potting soil.

Do you want a picture XX Jeannine

[sally_cinnamon]

Just potting soil.

Do you want a picture XX Jeannine

Yes please!
;D

[Blue Bird]

Best way to eat lettuce is cut as and when you need it  ;D  ;D  ;D

[caroline7758]

Thanks- might even pick a few leaves from the bigger ones before I plant them out!

[manicscousers]

I grow an early/late crop in a fish box..made of polystyrene..we got fish in Cornwall in it to bring home, i just fill with compost, sprinkle  little pinches of mixed seed along the rows and pick when they're about 4" as well..you can pick the ones you fancy  ;D

[Jeannine]

Three picture, one from the top shows the wee plan, one from the side clearly showing the grow box which I inherited with some stuff at auction I might add, and the third  I snipped a few bits to show you. This box lives in the house greenhouse all winter but is outside now. Surrounding it is a kitty proof  protectio house as  he would use it as litter  box if I didn't !! Onions are catching up as we ate all the others. I thin k you can see the different types of lettuce , so it is then   easy to pull a few and pot them on till full grown.XX Jeannine

[mikey]

Great piccies .... thanks
like all good ideas, so simple

what kind of 'kitty' have you got ? the Colditz fencing looks substantial, could kitty be a fully grown Tiger  ;) ;D

Cheers
Mikey

[Jeannine]

No, he is just a very determined black and white moggie,I don't mind him christening the base of the fruit trees but the salad box and the bean obelisk are well protected. Below  is the tiger XX Jeannine

[OliveOil]

OMG jeannine what ARE you doing with that tiger????

[Jeannine]

It was being naughty and I was telling it to behave itself, few years ago now, well just look at my photo,and I had some very odd friends in those days !! XX Jeannine

[caroline7758]

Do you think bread trays would be deep enough? Saw a couple offered on my local freecycle today.

[Jeannine]

I think they would be  deep enough if they are the ones that are solid.

Actually the under the bed plastic containers are probably Ok, I think they are about 6 inches,and if they are clear with lids that can be useful too.

XX Jeannine

[Robert_Brenchley]

That would really put you one up on the vandals. A guard tiger!

[Jeannine]

You have given me an idea,I should print that off and take it to school to the show the kids when we go back," how do you like to meet  my pet? " I bet that would up my street cred!! XX Jeannin