Lettuces & Radishes sowing

[spanish_gardener]

Since last year we had snow as late as the end of May and we had the shortest season ever, I can't wait to start sowing.

When can I sow lettuces and radishes outdoors?
What varieties would be best?

Temperatures right now are as low as 3 C° and not only it has been raining for the last two weeks in a row (literally) but we had snow and endless hail storms last week. Today I built two raised beds and I was thinking to built a wee cover with clear plastic. Not sure if it's going to make any difference...

[Mumbles]

The cover will give some protection especially from snow and hail. I'd say plant a few and see what happens. You tend to get a lot of seeds in lettuce and radish packs so if they don't work now I'm sure you won't miss half a dozen


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[spanish_gardener]

Thanks. I think I only have lettuce king of May and some Spanish radish seeds. Can you recommend any hardy varieties for late winter sowing? Should I sow the lettuces in wee seed trays indoors first?

[Mumbles]

I'm quite new to this gardening lark myself but sure someone else can recommend specific varieties. I tend to plant it and see what happens, if it works great if it doesn't then ill do something different next time. I keep a note of all dates things are down and how they do so I (hopefully) won't make the same mistake twice


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[spanish_gardener]

Cheers Mumbles. Last year, most of my radishes, beets, etc. bulbs never formed and at least I was able to eat their leaves. They were sow at different dates (from Spring to Winter) and on different soils (some on bought compost in big pots, others on the clay allotment soil). The only factor in common was the cold weather, that's why I want to try with hardy varieties.

[Mumbles]

Maybe g**gle it? Hope you get something other than leaves this year 🌿


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[veggiechicken]

I start my lettuces indoors and plant them out when they look like little lettuces, not seedlings. Started some a few weeks ago and have planted some in the GH in a planter already. Lots more waiting for the weather to warm up a bit, then they'll go outside.
I like the Mixed lettuce seeds as they mature at different times whenever you sow them/ Can't cope with a glut of lettuce.

[Bren In Pots]

I grow 'Arctic king' and 'all year round' lettuce over winter in my GH and they're supposed to be fine outdoors under a cloche.

[spanish_gardener]

I am going to sow some of the freebies radishes and lettuces of the February magazine and I'll order some Arctic king, All year round and Champion and black radishes, as I have read they are hardy. I'm so impatient! :-)