Lettuce 'Stoke'

[Flummery]

Hey Hazel - mucho excitement at Flummer Towers!

The Heritage lettuce variety Stoke which Hazel and I both received when we joined the Heritage Seed Library a few weeks ago has germinated in my unheated greenhouse after 3 weeks in the border. Only 2 leaves each at the moment - hardly a salad! I have great hopes however. Looking forward to the seed list plopping into my mat.

Anyone else grown this variety? What salad leaves do you grow for winter use?

[shirlthegirl43]

None, I have trouble getting my blokes to eat salad in summer never mind winter!!!

[Flummery]

It's a girl thing Shirl - they wouldn't understand!

[shirlthegirl43]

I think you are right. I haven't had much success with growing lettuce yet and hadn't even considered there was one I could grow in winter. May need to look into this further as I quite like lettuce on a buttie for lunch and I do grudge supermarket prices for that at this time of year!

[Seahorse]

Oooh, I just recieved my 'Stoke' from the HSL literally five minutes ago (my first packet went astray, apparantly!).

I hadn't got as far as looking up when best to sow it - I'm all excited now!

Claire

[Hazel at the Hill]

We're in fine company - apparently HRH Charlie grows 'stoke' at Highgrove!

[Flummery]

Don't try putting me off Hazel!

[shirlthegirl43]

We're in fine company - apparently HRH Charlie grows 'stoke' at Highgrove!

Do you reckon he actually grows it himself?

[Seahorse]

We're in fine company - apparently HRH Charlie grows 'stoke' at Highgrove!

I shall make sure mine are labelled with little red flags then!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Do you reckon he actually grows it himself?

Well, here's the quote

"Other types of vegetables grown by The Prince include the Stoke lettuce, the Champion of England (a very tasty pea), and Pit Marston duchess dessert apples."

so it looks like he does!

read about it here

When I googled 'stoke lettuce', that's all I got (besides this thread...)

[shirlthegirl43]

Golly, wonder if he wears a suit or kilt when he is in the potting shed

[Cutecumber]

In answer to Flummery's original question, many posts ago...

I'm growing:

lettuce: Valdor, Lattughino, Winter Density and Rouge D'hiver (some outdoors, some in the greenhouse)

Claytonia (winter purslane)

Land cress

Corn Salad

Rocket

It's my first year doing salad in winter, so it's highly experimental. So far the Valdor lettuce is looking the best - big and lush and disease free.

[moggssue]

I couldnt even grow summer lettuce so my plans for winter leaves didnt get off the ground! Are heritage varieties any different to grow than 'normal'? How much heat/protection do you give lettuce sown now?

[Flummery]

Mine have no protection other than the cold greenhouse. They ARE a hardy variety though. Check the packets - some are recommended for winter growing - Winter Density and All the Year Round for example.

[Hazel at the Hill]

yeah, but they also say to sow aug/sep. THought of pot sowing mine after the shortest day, then plant out the end of jan with a cloche. DOes that sound ok?