lettuces on the move...

[Normans Mum]

Hi all
Is it true that you are better sowing lettuce seed in situe? It's about the only thing that I don't grow in modules, but have never had great success just sowing where it grows. Advice appreciated.

[Bren In Pots]

I sow mine in paper pots then there's no root disturbance when I pot on.

[ladylottie]

Don't know if that's true or not, but I sow a pinch of lettuce seed in a 3" pot, then when the seedlings get to about 1½" to 2" tall I transplant them into one of Wilkinsons round plastic vegetable planters. They've grown really well like that for the last few years and I sow them every couple of weeks.
I do like to have lettuce just outside the house and I tend not to grow it up at the lottie.

[lottie dolly]

always sow my lettuce in modules,just 3seeds aprox,that way you can have several different ones on the go in the same modular tray,thin down to 1 plant each space,repeat every few weeks,then hopefully supply will continue,plant out when big enough,
If you got a variety of seeds want using up,springle thinly into a tray to use as little quick leaves,

[Sanjo]

I have done both and much prefer to sow into pots, prick out and then plant, especially early in the year. It is neater and more ground use effective as I then don't have empty spaces.
Having said that, if I am at a loose end in the garden or due to go away and the seed packet is to hand then I'll do a pinch into the ground and thin them later, re-planting the thinnings so no waste.

[Normans Mum]

thanks for your help, all ! : )

[Shadylane]

I've done both too and found I prefer to sow in modules or one of those plastic tubs that grapes come in. That way I know where I've put them, don't accidentally weed them and can just stick em in where there's space.

I always thought you weren't supposed to disturb the roots, but someone gave me some that he'd grown all together in a grape punnet thing and I just teased them apart, planted them and they did great.

[Pa Snips]

I did a couple (iceberg) in peat pellets which then obviously had to be potted on (or planted out) and they grew quite vigorously. Much quicker, in fact, than those sown & grown in Morrisons flower buckets where they were/are to stay for their duration.

I also sowed a load of mixed salad leaves way too thickly, so much so that the poor little things were all touching each other and not doing so well as a result. My solution was to unceremoniously dig a few out and stuff them into an old washing-up bowl, half-filled with compost. They are doing much better now and didn't mind being moved at all.

[Two_Sheds]

Hi all
Is it true that you are better sowing lettuce seed in situe?

I've never heard that ... I always sow them in modules, like everything else

[Paulottie]

I have heard that...I always sow in modules, like most things.

It is true that lettuce don't much like root disturbance and it can knock them back and make them bolt quicker.

With practice and timing, there is very little disturbance with modules. It is very economic (on seed), involves no thinning on my knees, easier weeding, less gappy slug grazed rows. Regular sowing give a very constant supply. They are easy to pop in around other harvests. If using a greenhouse be aware that lettuce don't germinate and will be damaged by high temperatures.

[CimaDirapa]

For me the gutter system works best for lettuces, I put one gutter for spring with a mix called 'wildfire' and one gutter in autumn with overwinter verities.

there is about 15 plants in the overwinter gutter but loads more for the mix as the family loves it as Cut&comeagain.

[Alison]

I direct sow cut and come again stuff in troughs and the like at home but also have a load of heading types at the lottie crammed into any free space between other plants. I have loads of those 6 module trays which are half the size of a full sized tray in total and sow 3 types every two weeks ie two modules of each, 2 seeds per module at opposite corners of the pot. If they both come they're still OK to plant out separately and I get a good supply of different varieties. Bit late this year with getting it sorted but have loads coming on nicely and some already planted out with cover. I find that if I sow them direct then I lose far too many seedings to slugs so a waste of time.

[Florence Fennel]

I pricked some out on Monday that were sown in modules about 4 weeks ago, Little Gem, and put in containers outside. Fingers crossed the slugs don't get past the petroleum jelly barrier.

[Zenithtb]

One of mine bolted last year. Now I have ****loads growing in a pile. Root blocking keeps them small. When I want to plant more, I dig a few up, separate them, and plant them :-)