Lettuce

[On the Moors]

I planted a trough of lettuce about two weeks ago and the crop failed. I suspect that we had too much torrential rain for a few days.

I've taken the trough into the greenhouse, topped it up with compost and replanted. I'm tempted to leave it in the greenhouse which can get quite a lot of sun. It's well ventilated and, as I'm retired, I can water as and when necessary.

I started gardening three years ago when I retired so it's all a bit new to me. AI tells me that lettuce is a cool weather crop but AI isn't aware that I'm on the edge of The Pennines (750 feet). The recent cool, wet weather didn't help the lettuce very much.

Any tips or suggestions more than welcome.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

They do seem to do better out of the sun, my best ones are from the bed directly North of the greenhouse, it doesn't make for deep shade, but not direct sun either, you might do better to move them out when they have germinated. Have you tried planting a row in the open ground? Or sometimes I scatter a square, they seem easier to thin. Mind you the badger thinned my last square digging for worms

 

[oneeye]

I think its best to start your lettuce in trays that can be moved easily. When the plants grow big enough to tranplant, you can move them into small pots. When you are lucky enough to have cool weather its very important for the lettuce to get full Sun.

After you first plant your lettuce seed keep the soil wet for the first 48hrs, then stop the watering and watch for sprouts. You will get spouts within 72 hours. Make sure the sprouts get full sun and don't them dry out, use a spary bottle. You will need to check them daily. Keep learning and good luck.

 

[On the Moors]

They do seem to do better out of the sun, my best ones are from the bed directly North of the greenhouse, it doesn't make for deep shade, but not direct sun either, you might do better to move them out when they have germinated. Have you tried planting a row in the open ground? Or sometimes I scatter a square, they seem easier to thin. Mind you the badger thinned my last square digging for worms

All greenhouse or container planting apart from one or two random potatoes plants that always seem to spring up on my compost. The garden is quite large but is landscaped in the form of a cottage or wildlife garden. As you suggest I'll get them going before putting them outside.

 

[On the Moors]

I think its best to start your lettuce in trays that can be moved easily. When the plants grow big enough to tranplant, you can move them into small pots. When you are lucky enough to have cool weather its very important for the lettuce to get full Sun.

After you first plant your lettuce seed keep the soil wet for the first 48hrs, then stop the watering and watch for sprouts. You will get spouts within 72 hours. Make sure the sprouts get full sun and don't them dry out, use a spary bottle. You will need to check them daily. Keep learning and good luck.

Thanks oneeye. I've just been out to water again. I didn't know that I should get sprouts that quickly though. I'll watch them closely and then move them onto the racking which is more sheltered.

 

[On the Moors]

It's been over a week since I planted the seed tapes. The seeds are in a sheltered spot in the greenhouse, so not too much sun (not that we have had that much). Nothing is happening. How much longer should I give them?

 

[oneeye]

It's been over a week since I planted the seed tapes. The seeds are in a sheltered spot in the greenhouse, so not too much sun (not that we have had that much). Nothing is happening. How much longer should I give them?

Don't let the soil dry out before you see spourts. Its importaint to keep the soil wet for the first 48hr and then allow enough time between waterings for sprouts to sprout. When you see the first sprout cut the water and allow the roots to grow.