Grow Guide: Lettuce

About

Perhaps one of the most common and most loved vegetable plant to grow, the humble lettuce plant is ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. The great thing about lettuce is that there is such a broad range of varieties to choose from, each with different colours, textures and flavours. There are two main types of lettuce plants, heartening lettuces and loose-leaf lettuces. Hearting lettuces have a dense centre, while loose-leaf lettuces have open leaves and no heart. An easy plant to grow that gives off great produce, whoever said salad was boring?

Soil Prep

Lettuce plants love loamy fertile soil, be sure the soil is not too soggy or dry but nicely moist. The best type of soil is one that contains feed or organic matter, this should help establish the plant quicker. They also like loose soil so be sure to lighten your soil by sifting grit or sand through it. Lettuce plants also love the sun so be sure not to plant it in a shaded area or in a place that receives full sun. They are suitable for any container or bed but we would recommend something elevated and off the ground to avoid pests like slugs. Try them in a pot or a raised bed, this makes it easier to protect the lettuce from whatever pests, such as rabbits, snails and slugs.

How to Plant

Ensure the lettuce plants are well watered when being planted, this help the plant establish better. Water the plant when it is dry and refrain from watering during midday, early morning or late evening is best. Provide good space between plants to allow the heads plenty of room to grow, plant loose-leaf lettuces about 8 inches apart and hearting lettuces 12-15 inches apart. Try using a generic tomato feed once every week or two for great results.

Harvesting

Lettuce is ready to harvest once the head has formed. It is better to cut off the leaves rather than to pull them. Remove the outer leaves first before you remove the inner leaves. The best time to harvest is in the morning. Continue to harvest the plant to prevent it from bolting. 

Tips

To deter common pests like slugs and snails try using organic methods like coffee grounds, eggshells or pistachio nutshells. You can also try copper tape or make your own beer trap. Alternatively, use organic slug pellets.

Plant your lettuce at different times to ensure you have a constant flow of delicious produce. Use salad leaves in everything from salads to sandwiches.

Key

Bolting: while plants do not ‘run away’ physically. Plants, mostly vegetables or herbs, bolt when they are not harvested enough and they start growing rapidly to flower and set seed.