Lettuce

[Chris87]

I'm fairly new to this, so forgive me if this seems like a stupid question. I've got a pack of mixed salad leaves, and the instructions suggest that they are to be grown 18 inches apart in rows which are 10 inches apart once they've been sown and grown up to a certain height. The seeds are tiny and consequently I would estimate there to be several hundred in the packet, probably enough to cover a few football fields if I were to space each one 18 inches apart. So in my 38l grow bags I would estimate that on those figures I would have between 6 and 9 in each, which just doesn't seem many at all. I've no idea how big they get, but does this seem about right?

Thanks

[Samurailord]

Hi Chris and welcome to the Vine.

One way to sow crops such as salad crops is to make a drill (a shallow depression in the soil) where you want a row of crops and thinly sprinkle the seeds along its entire length.

As the crops germinate they will be much closer than the prescribed distance, but you can harvest the weaker seedlings as they start to compete for space, keep doing this until you end up with one plant approximately every 18 inches.

Alternatively you could harvest a leaf or two per plant to keep them small and sweet.

Remember, the young plants will taste just as good as the fully developed ones so this will help you make the best possible use of your space.

If you are using growbags I would cut open the top so you have the maximum of compost available to you, and thinly scatter the seeds over the entire area (dont worry about planting in rows) then cover the seeds with a very thin layer of compost and water in well. Thin the seedlings as above as the plants grow, and you will have loads of salad all summer long as long as you give them enough water.

That's what I would do, no doubt someone else with a different idea will be along shortly.

Andy

[Chris87]

Would you recommend a similar method for spinach too?

[Samurailord]

Yes, just keep on top of the thinning or harvesting and you should have lots of lovely baby spinach leaves for salads or cooking.

Andy

[Fleurisa]

The final spacing sounds like the spacing required to grow one huge lettuce, but mixed salad leaves are usually treated as cut and come again so I'd just thin them as you pick them as Andy suggested. Also cut some short-ish but don't pull up and see if they re grow. I try to sow lettuce thinly but always end up with overcrowding.

[bretty666]

Thats exactly what i do^ but into the soil and not growbags.any seed that is too small to easily seperate and space apart ends up being over_sown and thinned out..except i never get to the thinning out part..im more of a pick a fee leaves off a few plants kinda guy..kep coming bacj to them until they have bolted.

[Potstubsdustbins]

This is a 14" x 6" tray of Mesclun a mixed salad leaf type. It was sown with 4 or 5 pinches of seed.

It may give you some idea of what to expect.

Potty

[Two_Sheds]

the instructions suggest that they are to be grown 18 inches apart

I don't grow in rows, I grow in beds, and each lettuce is about 6-12" apart from its neighbours (they start off at 6", then I pull alternate ones out to eat)

[MrsCordial]

This is a really helpful thread. I've read a lot about lettuceii being fairly hardly, so is it okay to plant seeds out now? How about small indoor-grown seedlings?

[Two_Sheds]

is it okay to plant seeds out now?

I prefer to sow in cell trays, because direct sowings tend to get eaten by slugs as soon as they appear

I start sowing lettuce in March, and stop when it gets over 20c (because lettuce hates heat)

[MrsCordial]

Thanks Two Sheds. When would you plant out those seedlings? I think mine would like a change of scenery.

[Alison]

I plant mine out when they're big enough to have a chance against the slugs . Seriously though I do this when they're little plants with a few leaves and look like a very mini lettuce. I've already planted some out in the polytunnel but the next lot won't go out (proper outdoors) for about 3 weeks yet. I tend to sow a 6 module tray every couple of weeks over the same period as Two Sheds. Gives me more than I need but it's nice to have some in hand in case I loose some. By the way, what makes you think yours want a change of scenery? Mine are germinated and grown on the unheated greenhouse at the moment and then on outdoor staging for subsequent sowings when it's a bit warmer.

[MrsCordial]

Thanks Alison. I sowed them a few weeks ago and they're now looking a bit leggy. I sowed six different varieties and some are more advanced than others. So far none is past the two-leaf stage. They're on the porch windowsill. I have no greenhouse, but I did invest in a cloche yesterday so I could put them out under that. Usually when I put seedlings out I put a bottomless pop bottle or milk bottle over them a) to show me where they are and b) for protection from the elements and bugs.

[Two_Sheds]

When would you plant out those seedlings?

they're now looking a bit leggy. ... none is past the two-leaf stage. They're on the porch

They aren't getting enough light. Daylight is typically 10,000+ lux, whereas a windowsill is in the 100s: Lux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[MrsCordial]

Two_Sheds, where would I be without you?! I'm sure they're a bit light-starved. I'll try them on another window sill and see if they perk up.