Lettuces

[Mushroom]

Hi, I tried to grow lettuces on the windowsill inside -they started thin & leggy & ended up 3 ft tall - got some great seeds out of them though.
Is that just lack of light? Would they do better if started outdoors in a frame? (no greenhouse) thanks!

[sewer rat]

Hi Mushroom
The reason your lettuces ended up three ft tall and gave you loads of seed was that they bolted - the cause is probably that they were too hot. I would start them inside but as soon as they are fit enough, stick them in the garden or in a pot / trough - they'll be much happier and far less likely to bolt.

[Earthbabe]

I'd agree with SR. You can grow some varieties pretty much all year round with some cloches and fleece/plastic. It depends really on what you like and can find available. Lettuce seed is fortunately very easy to save, as you have discovered, so it will be very easy/cheap to try different methods of growing etc.

What variety/ies are you growing?

[Two_Sheds]

winter lettuce

You can grow lettuce all year round, practically. These are my summer lettuces, lollo rossa and australian yellow; and 'Rusty' winter lettuce, sown in Autumn, photoed in Feb

[Alice]

Nice pics Two Sheds. Everybodies right. Your lettuce might be better off outside. I started some on the windowsill in January but they're living outside now with a bit of fleece at night. Some straggles left over from last autumn have come through the winter fine with no protection at all. I'll definately be getting a bigger supply organised for eating next winter. (Well I thought I had organised a good crop for this year, but I went on holiday in October and when I came back the slugs had munched them )

[Mushroom]

Ah, thats it then - thanks for that everyone, good lesson learned there for me!