Growing lettuce all year-round.

[Bren In Pots]

I have a few lettuces in the GH Rary and they seem to be doing fine.

[Andraste]

I've some seedlings in the blow away & they seem to be ok (touch wood, fingers crossed & all that).

[Containergardener]

Me too andraste . Not sure they'll get bigger with this weather .

Should I bring them in?

[rary]

As you grow a lot of lettuce Bren which varieties do you find the easiest to grow, the most satisfying to grow and the tastiest to grow?

[Bren In Pots]

Rary I sow around 4 seeds here’s my latest sowing. I like a mixture of tastes and texture so I harvest a leaf or two from each plant.

Arctic king
Frisee de Beauregard
Mizuna
Lollo rossa
Red salad bowl
Green salad bowl
Rocket
Lobjoits Green Cos
Little Gem
Catalogna
Oriental mix

[Containergardener]

Are they in an unheated gh Bren?

[rary]

Thanks Bren

[Bren In Pots]

Are they in an unheated gh Bren?

Up to yet only last years are in the GH Red and green salad bowl and artic king. The list above was sown this time last month and not been moved into the GH just yet.

[Andraste]

I was brave & put mine into the blowaway when they showed above the compost - chitted first as I always struggle germinating lettuce. They haven't suffered any damage when we've had some quite cold snaps (including snow) but I don't think they've really grown much.

If you're thinking of moving yours to an unheated greenhouse CG I'd say it's safe (unless they've grown on quite a bit & need hardening off first) as they will 'survive' down to quite low temps but they won't 'thrive' just yet so won't grow as fast as if you keep them inside.

Edit to add: we're growing Analena and Catalogna this year.

[Containergardener]

I've got them in my blowaway which is inside the gh

[Sweet savory]

I am also growing catalogna this year from seed saved from a bolted plant last year. As they were fresh they shot up. It has been outside in a raised bed for over a week now along with the solitary Clarion that germinated from a new packet sowing. I find catalogna to be pretty hardy and because the leaves are a bit thicker, not first choice for slugs.
Also trying Beauregard which is on Bren’s list so will be interested to see if we like it.

[Andraste]

I'm Catalogna fan too Sweet savory - tasty, not bothered by slugs, quick to bulk up & slow to bolt - it's the one lettuce I grow every year without fail.

[Containergardener]

Not heard of that one Sweet savory Andraste Like the sound of slugs not bothering too.

[Andraste]

There are always the odd one or two CG but I find the plants are resilient. I first tried them when the seeds came free on a GYO magazine & the seed kept well for a couple of years after opening but I've bought the seed since - generally at the lower end of the price scale. It's an oak-leaf type.

[Bren In Pots]

My lettuces have been in my unheated GH for a couple of days and seem fine I do chuck fleece over them at night though.