winter density lettuce

[chilli_grower]

Hi everyone.

I planted some winter density lettuce seeds around mid October - First question, is this too late?!?!?!?!

I am a complete newbie!!!

I have put one seed per module in a seed tray.

I was just wondering if these 'winter lettuce' will actually grow throughout the winter? If so, how long would this variety normally take until able to harvest?

I imagine they will grow slowly?

The seeds are currently in conservatory window sill, but my greenhouse should hopefully be fitted this weekend So after that they will live in there.

Any advice welcomed.

One more thing - I have brought a few of my chilli plants into the house, to hopefully ripen a few of them up (and they are slowly ripening). However, some of the green chillis on the plants have become very 'soft' to the touch, rather than nice and firm.

Any ideas? Or can I just put this down to the change of season?

Thank you

[solway cropper]

I grow several winter lettuce varieties including winter density but they are in a greenhouse. Mid October would be a bit late up here. My last sowings would have been around mid-September and that gives them a chance to germinate and put on some growth before the winter weather. They don't really do anything except survive over the winter but come springtime they are off to a flying start. You are much further south than me so will probably have a better chance of success.

The biggest problem I find with winter lettuce in a greenhouse is botrytis so you have to keep the place well ventilated.

[chilli_grower]

hi there,

Thank you for the information.

Ok, well hopefully they will survive the winter. They are approx 2 inches tall at the moment.

I was actually away at Carlisle workng a few weeks ago, and you are of course correct, that it really is MUCH colder up there!!!!!

I assumed that the lettuce might actually be ready to harvest some time during winter.

Thanks

chilli grower

[zazen999]

Some photos of mine.

Sown September time.

Sown quite thickly into half trays then put into larger trays for cut and come again picking.

[bazzaboy]

I adopt a similar approach to ZZ (similar latitude) with a mixed selection to pick “cut and come again”, see pic for variety. I keep them in the conservatory for shelter, easily checked and accessed for use but don’t differentiate and use any of them (+ parsleys, chives etc not in pic) for salad bits, dressings if pretending to be posh, stir fries etc. If they begin to look too crowded to a point where they’ll deteriorate I give them a bit more space by “potting on” in clumps (I don't attempt to plant out separately in winter).

When you say “ready to harvest”, CG, it sounds as if you’re aiming at a full-grown and hearted lettuce. More difficult this time of year not least because of shortening light-time but if you’ve got electricity in the greenhouse you can supplement light dawn/dusk with a grow-light to assist hearting-up (disadvantage: neighbours tend to wonder if you're growing dope…!)

As an alternative or addition you might like to consider also growing sprouting seeds on a windowsill indoors that will be ready in a few days in any season. A selection of green sprouts mixed with cut-and-come-again salad leaves can make an acceptable small side-salad so no stopping for winter!

[chilli_grower]

So am I right in saying that you pick the leaves on an as needed basis? Rather than waiting for a full lettuce to form?

[veggiechicken]

Yes, CG! I find its a better thing to grow than lettuce as you can have a mixture of flavours and pick as many leaves as you need for a sandwich without needing to cut a whole lettuce.

[chilli_grower]

Ah ok.

So mixed salad leaves seem the way for me to go throughout winter...

But what about the winter density that I have planted? Should I just leave them to hopefully turn into full lettuces next year some time?

Or can I just pick leaves from them before they fully develop?

Thank you

[veggiechicken]

With your winter density you can do either! Why not leave some to develop and use some for "cut and come again " (or CACA as its called on here!).

[Bren In Pots]

My Arctic king and 'all year round' lettuce was sown 1st week in September then planted in the GH borders when the toms had finished they get used for CACA because I like baby leaves best of all.

[chilli_grower]

gotcha - I will do as you suggest VC. For some reason I thought that I absolutely had to wait for the winter density to fully develop before consumption!

As stated I am a newbie at all this!!!!

Cheers

[veggiechicken]

If you waited for your lettuce to be fully developed before eating they'd all be ready in the same week!! Best to stagger sowing and picking to avoid gluts (and hating the sight of lettuce by the end of the week).

[roitelet]

Just beware of lettuce in the tunnel or greenhouse. I had some really nice plants of Winter density and on close inspection they were covered in green and white fly together with a bit of sooty mould (nice with a vinegarette) They are all in with the rabbits now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!