Winter lettuce: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how do you sow winter heading lettuce under cover?
Sow your winter heading lettuce under cover in late summer or early autumn, following the variety and dates on the seed packet. The aim is to establish young plants before severe cold, often for a spring harvest. A very late sowing may not have enough time to develop.
Fill small modules or a seed tray with moist, freely draining seed compost. Sow thinly, cover the seeds lightly and firm gently. Water with a fine rose so that the seeds stay in place. Keep moisture steady without leaving standing water at the bottom of the container.
Choose a bright but cool shelter. A closed greenhouse in direct sunshine can become too hot and inhibit germination. Ventilate on mild days and shield containers from excessive heat. The appropriate temperature depends on the variety, so heating is not automatically needed for this sowing.
After emergence, provide plenty of light to keep seedlings sturdy. Thin crowded modules to one healthy seedling. Label the variety and sowing date. Gradually prepare the young plants for the conditions in their final position, without suddenly exposing them to cold winds. Continue checking moisture as the small containers can dry unevenly.
When and how do you direct sow winter heading lettuce?
When and how do you plant out winter heading lettuce?
How to care for this plant
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Thin seedlings
If your lettuces are crowded and you want whole heads, thin gradually to about 15–30 cm according to the variety. Keep closer spacing for promptly harvested baby leaves. In a module, select the seedling you want to keep.
When and how do you harvest winter heading lettuce?
