Winter lettuce ‘Rougette de Montpellier’: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow 'Rougette de Montpellier' lettuce outdoors?
Sow your 'Rougette de Montpellier' lettuce with its use as a winter lettuce in mind. In a temperate climate, late-summer or early-autumn sowings can prepare for harvesting after winter. Check the seed packet and adapt the timing to your garden. Growth slows as temperatures fall, so the time to harvest varies with the conditions.
Choose weed-free soil with a fine surface that retains moisture without staying waterlogged. Make a shallow drill and moisten it if the ground is dry. Scatter seeds thinly, cover them lightly according to the supplier's instructions and water gently. In hot conditions, light shade can help prevent the seedbed from overheating.
Keep the surface moist during germination and check for slug damage. Once seedlings have several true leaves, thin gradually to provide enough room for the small heads to form. Follow the spacing on the packet rather than confusing the distance between seeds with the final distance between plants. Sowing too late can leave plants insufficiently developed before cold weather. Watch their growth and the weather forecast as they establish.
How do you plant out 'Rougette de Montpellier' lettuce?
How do you harvest 'Rougette de Montpellier' lettuce?
