Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by the Dobies Horticultural Team
Growing lettuce from seed is the most cost-effective way to achieve a tasty harvest of luscious salad leaves and, given good conditions for germination, we are confident that you will be delighted with the results. To help you achieve success we have put together some hints and tips for growing!
Step 1
Sow Seeds
Lettuce can be grown for individual plants or as a cut and come again salad leaves. Both versions can be grown in the garden (sown direct or started in trays) or in containers.
In the garden: sow thinly onto your prepared soil and cover with more soil to a depth of 1cm. Early sowings will benefit from the protection of a cloche or can be started in a greenhouse.
In containers: sprinkle lettuce seed thinly across the surface of the compost and cover with a 1cm layer of compost.
Whichever method you choose, keep your seeds well watered.
Step 2
Plant Out
In the garden: thin plants out (or plant your lettuces) 30cm apart once the first true leaves appear. Thinned plants can be planted elsewhere or washed and eaten in salads and sandwiches.
In a container: start harvesting cut and come again lettuce leaves with scissors when the plants reach 10cm tall.
Step 3
Harvest
In the garden: be wary of birds and slugs eating your plants! Harvest lettuces as needed by cutting the plant off at soil level. Remember to dig up and compost the roots, or you may get soil in the leaves that grow back.
Top Tip
High temperatures in summer can prevent some lettuce varieties from germinating. To help, water the soil first and them sow your seeds in the evening.
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