How to Sow and Grow Lettuce

Growing lettuce in the UK is a rewarding experience for both seasoned gardeners and beginners alike. Whether you’re looking to enjoy fresh, crisp salads straight from the garden or simply want to add a splash of greenery to your space, lettuce is a versatile and easy-to-grow vegetable. Plus, it’s one of the fastest-growing crops, meaning you’ll be harvesting your first heads in no time! So, let’s dive into how you can successfully sow and grow lettuce in your garden.

Sowing Lettuce Seeds

Lettuce can be sown directly into the soil or started off indoors before transplanting. Here’s how you can sow lettuce seeds both ways:

Direct Sowing Outdoors:

• Timing: Lettuce thrives in cooler weather, so you can sow seeds outdoors as early as March (or once the soil has warmed a little), and again in September for a late autumn crop. The key is to avoid sowing during the hottest months of the year (July and August), as lettuce can bolt (go to seed) in the heat.
• Prepare the Soil: Lettuce likes fertile, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. You can improve your soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure.
• Sowing: Use a rake to level the soil and create shallow furrows (about 1cm deep). Space your lettuce seeds around 25cm apart. Sprinkle them thinly along the furrows, then cover lightly with soil. Water gently to settle the seeds in.

Indoor Sowing (for an early start):

• Timing: Start indoors around February or March in seed trays or pots.
• How to Sow: Fill a tray with compost, then scatter the seeds evenly across the surface. Don’t bury them too deeply—lettuce seeds need light to germinate. Gently press the seeds into the compost using a flat board, then lightly water. Keep the tray in a cool, bright spot and keep the soil moist.
• Transplanting Outdoors: Once the seedlings are large enough to handle (usually after about 3-4 weeks), and the danger of frost has passed, you can harden them off before transplanting them into the garden. Space the young plants about 25cm apart.

Caring for Lettuce Plants

Lettuce is fairly low-maintenance, but it does need a little attention to grow well.

• Watering: Lettuce needs consistent moisture to grow quickly and stay tender. Water your plants regularly, especially during dry spells. Be careful not to let them dry out, as this can cause the leaves to go bitter or bolt.
• Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch around the base of your lettuce to help keep the soil moist and reduce weed competition.
• Thinning: If you’ve sown lettuce in rows, you may need to thin the seedlings to ensure they have enough space to grow. Thin out the weakest plants, leaving about 25cm between each one.
• Feeding: Lettuce doesn’t require a lot of feeding, but you can give them a light feed of liquid fertiliser every few weeks, particularly if your soil is poor.

Harvesting Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the quickest-growing crops, and you can often begin harvesting just 4-6 weeks after sowing, depending on the variety. How you harvest will depend on the type of lettuce you’re growing:

• Cut-and-come-again varieties: These allow you to harvest individual leaves as needed, which encourages the plant to keep producing. Simply snip off the outer leaves, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
• Head lettuce: Wait until the lettuce forms a firm head. For varieties like Iceberg or Butterhead, gently twist the base of the plant to remove the entire head. You can harvest a head once it feels solid but before it starts to bolt.

Dealing with Common Lettuce Pests and Problems

While lettuce is a hardy plant, there are a few common issues you might encounter:

• Slugs and Snails: These pests love lettuce! Place beer traps in your garden, or use copper tape around raised beds to deter them.
• Aphids: These little green insects can attack lettuce, especially in warmer weather. Keep an eye out for them and wash off any pests with a strong jet of water or use an organic aphid spray.
• Bolting: Lettuce can bolt in hot weather, which results in bitter, inedible leaves. To avoid bolting, ensure your plants are growing in cooler temperatures and give them enough water. If they do bolt, simply remove the flower stalk and continue to harvest any remaining leaves.

Growing Lettuce in Containers

Lettuce is also great for growing in containers, making it perfect for small gardens or even balconies. Choose a container at least 20cm deep, fill it with good-quality compost, and sow your seeds in rows. Be sure to place your containers in a sunny spot, and water them regularly. Lettuce grows well in pots, and you’ll be able to pick fresh leaves right from the container.

Growing lettuce in the UK is a breeze, and it’s a fantastic way to enjoy fresh produce throughout the seasons. Whether you’re growing it in your garden, on a windowsill, or in containers, lettuce will thrive with just a little love and attention. By choosing the right varieties, sowing at the right time, and giving it the care it needs, you’ll be enjoying homegrown, crisp, and delicious lettuce all year round! Happy growing!

Video – How to Sow and Grow Lettuce