Delicate and firm leaves with a mild nutty aroma are a great value of lettuce, but only lettuce whose path from the flower bed to the kitchen is very short.Because it is possible to grow it at any time of the year appropriate varieties, with skilful planning, tasty and he althy leaves can be available almost all year round.
The shortest period of growing to harvest is distinguished by colorful leaf lettuces. Sowing the seeds directly into the ground, preferably in rows as wide as a hand, is possible at the end of August. In broadcast sowing, the use of space - especially in a small bed - is even more effective, but this method only pays off on a carefully weeded surface.
Sown lettuce, even on hot days, shoots flower shoots much less often, and because it rooting deeper, it does not require frequent watering.If you like more spicy lettuce, sow the rocket seed mixture , watercress, fennel and leaf lettuce to later pluck the leaves of various salad vegetables at the same time.
Classical leaf plants in late summer are endives and curly lettuces. The cultivation of head lettuce is also successful during this period.When choosing the varieties, let's read carefully the growing directions on the reverse of the bags.
The new varieties, such as 'Estelle', can be grown from spring to autumn, and are resistant to aphid attacks and typical lettuce diseases. Ripe head lettuce, other than leaf lettuce, should be cut within a week.In order to harvest the lettuce longer, it should be sown gradually, in several flushes.Continuous access to ripe leaves can also be obtained without thorough planning sowing.The next batch of seeds should be sown only when the lettuce from the previous sowing forms the first leaves.
Which plants to plant next to each other?
Field lettuce, or lamb's lettuce, is considered a low-maintenance plant. However, this only applies to her nutritional needs. The seedbed should be prepared very carefully. The soil should be well processed, fine-lumpy and constantly slightly moist.After sowing, press the seeds firmly into the ground. Shade the sunlit bed with a non-woven fabric until the seedlings germinate.For cultivation from September, choose the most frost-resistant varieties, such as 'Vit'. In winter they continue to grow and provide vitamin-rich leaves long after other lettuces have become scarce.
Colorful and curled varieties of lettuce decorate not only the spectacularly served dish, but also the vegetable patches on which they grow.Thanks to them, the vegetable garden can also be tastefully planned, using plantings with numerous flowering plants.
