How to plant: Winter Lettuce

Soil Preparation:

• Good drainage is essential for growing winter salad as the seedlings will simply freeze if left in pools of water
• To protect the seedlings from the harsh winter winds,  choose a sheltered and sunny position
• To add nutrients and help the soil to retain moisture, prepare the soil by digging and mixing in well-rotten manure or garden compost
• Rake to leave a fine finish

How to sow:

• Sow between late August and mid-November.
• Sow seeds in short shallow rows. Cover with soil, label and water
• If temperatures are predicted to take a dip overnight, consider covering with a fleece

Maintenance:

• Keep your soil just moist, make sure the seedlings don’t get too cold or wet.

Harvesting:

• Harvest leaves when the plants reach about 5cm (2in) high, or allow plants to grow to about 15cm and cut the whole head off leaving a 3cm (1in) stump, a new plant should soon re-sprout