Lactuca sativa
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 30cm x 30cm.
DISTANCE APART: 30cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Lettuce can be harvested as soon as the leaves are large enough. Harvest the outer leaves first by tearing them off; this will allow new leaves to grow from the centre of the plant.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day, twice a day if it is very hot.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes, lettuce are great in pots. Fill a pot that is 30cm deep with premium potting mix, plant the seedlings and water them well. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes, choose a spot that gets full or part sun. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water well. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: The best buddies of lettuce are beans, carrots, onion and cucumber.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Water every day and apply a liquid fertiliser every fortnight.
- Plant another crop of lettuces in 4 to 6 weeks so that the family always has a good supply.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.