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Introduction

Lettuce is one of the easiest and most productive salad crops to grow in the UK. Fast-growing, versatile, and available in many varieties, it can be harvested almost year-round with the right planning. Whether you prefer crisp hearts, loose leaves, or colourful mixes, lettuce grows well in beds, containers, and even window boxes. You can start from seed, buy plug plants, or sow in succession for a constant supply.

Types and Timing

There are several main types of lettuce, each with different habits and harvest styles:

Cos (Romaine): Upright, crunchy leaves.
Butterhead: Soft, tender leaves forming small, loose heads.
Crisphead (Iceberg): Dense, crunchy hearts, slower to mature.
Loose-leaf / Cut-and-come-again: Pick individual leaves or cut whole plants for regrowth.

Timing:

Sow indoors from February for an early start.
Direct sow outdoors from March to September.
For winter harvests, choose hardy varieties and sow in late summer or early autumn, often under cloches or in greenhouses.
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks to keep salads coming.

Site and Soil Requirements

Lettuce thrives in cool, moist conditions:

Light: Prefers sun, but partial shade helps in summer to prevent bolting.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained, with plenty of organic matter.
pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline.
Containers: Excellent for small spaces—grow in shallow trays, window boxes, or pots at least 15 cm deep.

Propagation & Planting

Sowing indoors: Use modular trays or small pots. Sow seeds thinly on the surface, cover lightly with compost, and keep at 10-15°C.
Direct sowing: Sow thinly in drills 1 cm deep, rows 25-30 cm apart.
Thinning: Thin seedlings to 20-30 cm apart (less for loose-leaf). Use thinnings as baby salad leaves.
Transplanting: Harden off indoor-raised seedlings before planting outside in late spring.
Succession: Little and often sowings keep leaves tender and fresh.

Growing & Maintenance

Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells, to prevent bolting and bitterness.
Feeding: Generally not needed if soil is fertile, but a light liquid feed can help container crops.
Weeding: Shallow hoeing or hand-weeding to avoid disturbing roots.
Mulching: Helps retain moisture and keeps soil cool.
Protection: Use fleece or cloches early in the season, and shade netting in high summer.

Harvest and Post-Harvest

Cut-and-come-again: Harvest outer leaves as needed, allowing the plant to keep producing.
Whole heads: Cut just above the base when hearts are firm.
Timing: Most lettuces are ready 6-10 weeks after sowing.
Storage: Best eaten fresh. Store in the fridge wrapped in damp paper or in a perforated bag for a few days.
Overproduction tip: Harvest slightly early to prevent gluts, or let a few bolt for edible flowers and seed saving.

Troubleshooting & Pests

Bolting: Triggered by heat or drought. Prevent by regular watering, partial shade, and choosing bolt-resistant varieties.
Slugs & snails: Major pests, especially on young seedlings. Use barriers, traps, or wildlife-friendly controls.
Aphids: Check undersides of leaves; squash or wash off.
Root aphids: Can cause wilting—rotate crops and avoid reusing soil in pots.
Poor germination in summer: Lettuce seeds can struggle above 25°C—sow in the evening or provide shade.

Tips from Growers / FAQs

Easiest types for beginners: Loose-leaf lettuces and mixed salad packs germinate fast and don’t need much space.
Winter growing: Hardy varieties like ‘Winter Density’ or ‘Arctic King’ can be grown under cloches or in unheated greenhouses.
Continuous supply: Mix sowing methods—direct sow some, start others in trays, and stagger timings.

Baby leaves: Sow thickly in trays or pots, harvest when 5-10 cm tall, ready in just a few weeks.

Lettuce