Help with lettuce seedlings - what next?

[Flutterby]

I have been putting off asking this as know it makes me sound very dim! I am very new to gardening but really want to make a go of a veggie plot in my back garden. Coz I'm the impatient sort I wanted to make a start on something so last week I planted a mixture of salad leaves in a pot. These are now coming thru (which I'm really excited about as I was convinced they wouldn't ) but there are loads of 1 inch seedlings in this pot and I have absolutely no idea what to do now!

I've moved them into my conservatory (very light but cool as unheated) but I've read somewhere about thinning out and I don't really know when to do this or how

Please take pity on this complete novice who wants to look like she knows what she's doing in front of her 9 year old son and 6 year old daughter!

[shirlthegirl43]

I am pretty new to gardening too but will give a go at helping.

I think if you want to use the lettuce as baby leaves, then you don't need to thin them. Just let them grow until they get big enough to use and then pick random leaves to thin out - don't take the whole plant. they keep growing and give you fresh young leaves for a while that way.

Light but cool should suit them fine, but I am sure the more expert grapes will soon be along to put you right.

Hope the little ones enjoy your efforts - get them interested in growing their own too. My younger son loves growing pots of dwarf beans

[Alice]

Hello Flutterby, Shirlthegirl is right and it's up to you what you do. You can just leave them and cut individual leaves as tou want to use them. They won't get very big if the pot is very crowded but you'll get lots of small leaves.
OR, fill another , bigger container, and pick some babies out to plant more spaced out in the bigger container. A few inches apart for each plant will be fine. That way you can eat the baby leaves while you're waiting for the transplants to grow on a bit.

[Lesley Jay]

Be sure to only gently handle the seedlings by the leaves. Don't hold the stems.

[lyndap]

And plant so the seed leaves are just above the soil.

[Flutterby]

Thank you!!

[Alice]

And Flutterby, next time don't plant so many lettuce. Just plant a dozen every couple of weeks and get them fresh about all the year round.

[borage]

I've got salad leaves in a trough on the kitchen windowsill. Have been cutting individual leaves as they get large enough which seems to be encouraging more growth.

[borage]

Forgot to mention I thinned my seedlings so they were about 1/2 inch apart

[Jo.T]

Which type do you have growing on the litchen window sill? Are they cut and come again ones and do they grow all year? Does the sun shine in the kitchen window? It sounds like a great idea

[borage]

I have salad leaves Niche oriental mixed which are cut and come again had two cuts off them so far and they are still looking good. Window faces south east.

[Mushroom]

hi!
I tried to grow 4 full lettuces in the windowsill but it was too warm for them indoors and they bolted to 3 feet high - Got 150 or so seeds out of them that way though, as i left them to flower.
I will be growing them outside now after the advice of a nice bunch of grapes.
I am however going to try the 'Cut and come again' lettuce on the kitchen windowsill though, as you they won't be growing into a full lettuce, and will try cutting individual leaves as suggested by Borage!

[borage]

When I sowed the seed in January it was an experiment and I am really pleased with the way they have grown, we have had enough to cut for 2 meals for us both and on top of that been cutting leaves to go in sandwiches and for garnishing.

[Flutterby]

Me again

Not being an experienced grower (most plants have died on me before!) I'm not sure if my lettuces are growing to become proper lettuces or if I've mucked it up!

How long does it take before the seedlings start to resemble lettuce leaves rather than cress?

On a happier note I have to report what seems a huge success to me in that I have managed to get aubergine, chilli and pepper seedlings from nearly all the seeds I planted. I'm becoming very addicted to veggie gardening and hope to actually get my beds sorted in the garden over the next few weekends. My husband has forgotten what I look like as I spend ages each evening trying to gain as much info as I can from this forum. Thanks to all of you for inspiring us novices!

[shirlthegirl43]

I have checked all my lettuce seed packets and they differ from 'ready in 3 weeks' for a mixture for leaf salad to around 12 weeks for iceberg. If you still have the seed packet it will give planting time and harvesting time - the difference between the two will give you a rough idea of how long they will take. They stay looking quite little for a while I think (well it seems like an age the first time)