which varieties of lettuce grow best for you?

[yogz]

Hi all,

I used to think I couldn't grow lettuce. I used to sow the seeds, watch them grow into little seedlings...and then wither away! Then I discovered a variety called Lollo Rosso, which seems happy to grow in the conditions I give it. Which varieties do well for you?
note: I'm not interested in growing baby leaves for cut n come again. I want to grow big proper heads of lettuce!

[Snoop Puss]

I grow Little Gem and Amaze with good success. Marvel of Four Seasons never fails. Also All Year Round butterhead, which we really like. We also like red oak leaf lettuce too.

Is it possible your seedlings were too damp and they rotted away? They might also have suffered with aphids sapping their strength, so keeping them under protective cover might help.

Plus I find lettuce to be quite seasonal, though could be to do with my weather conditions. Lettuce does better here in spring and autumn than in summer, when it's too hot here for them to thrive.

[burnie]

I have tried all sorts but last year I sowed a mixed cut and come again type, they were great and I am growing the same again this year, I seem to get less slugs and snails too, sure they came free with our magazine.

[peanut]

I love Tom Thumb, Gustav's Salad and Moonred. Also growing Webbs Wonderful this year. All doing well. I sow in modules then plant out.

[Mr Bones]

Winter Density are a nice crispy lettuce and can be cut as full heads or the leaves taken as cut and come again. They don't fare too well in a cold winter though ..
Red Oakleaf Navara is similar to Lollo Rosso, both have done well for us.

[Nicos]

Kamikaze lettuce....
https://www.multitanks.com/en/garden...ze.html?post=1

and red or green oak leaf...
https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item..._oakleaf_seeds

Lambs lettuce grows well for us in the autumn too...
https://vitalseeds.co.uk/product/cor...ttuce-organic/

We’ll try any free seeds too - always worth a go as we never really know how hot/ dry etc the seasons will be

[Bren In Pots]

I grow a few different varieties over winter its land cress, All year round in my GH. Rest of the year I grow salad bowl, Riccia Ross’s, Mizuna and Valmaine.

[Sweet savory]

I grow marvel of 4 seasons and all the year round over winter under cloches in raised bed. They fed us during April. Now have bronze beauty and more 4 seasons growing along with Valmaine and romaine. Havent tried b beauty before but they have grown a good size albeit rather large and unruly, however I haven’t yet tasted one to know if it justifies the space. Next month I will grow amaze and little gem which seem to suit the warmer weather.
I have grown lollo rosso but find it hides too many slugs in the crinkles.