When to put lettuce in the ground?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

My lettuce seeds have just popped their heads above the compost:


When should I be looking at getting them in the ground outside?

[windowsillqueen]

I'd give them another week in a coolish place. I'd say they were a bit weeny to go out yet - though I know someone advised me that they plant theirs directly in the ground. I believe they don't like being moved very much so might prefer to be a bit more settled before you transplant.

[Gardenwitch]

Hi there I'm planting cut and grow and a small head lettuce; they will all be growing inside a deep tray for their duration. However if I was planting out I would plant out in March and April but under a cover. OR plant out May through August without having to cover them. Depending on what you would like to do really. If you have a coldframe that would be ideal to plant them out into as well. Good luck

[Alison]

It depends very much on the variety. It's rather too early for most types to go out without any protection and yours are only titchy seedlings at the moment anyway. Grow them on into small plants and then plant out. If it's still a bit chilly then, put them under a cloche (can make your own out of a plastic bottle if need be). Note that some varieties are better suited to early / late season and can be grown pretty much all year round with some protection, where as others need a bit more sunshine / light to get going - most will bolt though if it's too hot!

[Beki]

I put my lollo rossa outside last week. they'd been grown in an unheated greenhouse and the door was left open all night and day for the last week they were in there. they seem to be thriving outside!

[Cosmo and Dibs]

My lettuce seeds are growing skywards, and are quite spindly. I have moved them to a lighter area of my house where the sun shines.

They are growing quite close together, and a few are seemingly growing three stems. Should I be thinning them out?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Are these lettuce seedlings too crowded?


If so, what should I do?

[Growem]

Depends how you want to use them. If you want to grow individual heads of lettuce, you will have to thin them out at some point, either now or before putting them in the ground. If you want to use them as a cut and come again crop, you probably can leave them a bit crowded in there. I put some lettuce seedlings in the small bit behind my house and although I don't think all have taken, certainly some are growing on. They weren't any bigger than yours. I have a bit of perspex that is tilted over them (it touches the ground on one side and is open on three others) and that seems to be enough protection, even with heavy frost on Saturday morning.

[zazen999]

I wouldn't thin them out just yet. Leave for a while longer until they have more leaves, then when you transplant them, leave a bit of space in between. You can then harvest alternative ones smaller, or cut and come again..and leave the others to grow on to full heading up lettuces [presuming they are heading up lettuces you've sown].

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Thanks, guys.

They are icebergs.

[windowsillqueen]

my lettuces were sown over a month ago and are still very very small - just 3 leaves on each (funly and lollo rossa).

Should they be growing this slowly? how long until you get a full headed lettuce?