Lettuce
Contrary to what summer salads may suggest, lettuce is in fact a cool-season crop that does best in spring, late summer, and autumn. High heat causes lettuce to bolt and run to seed. To slow summer lettuce from bolting, plant bolt-resistant varieties in light shade in mid-summer. In all other seasons, lettuce should be planted in full sun.
Thermal dormancy can be an issue where lettuce does not germinate in soil temperatures above 15°C. If planting in the very hot months (Nov-Feb), then chill seed in the fridge for a few days to break dormancy. Lettuce also needs to be shallowly sown as it requires light to germinate. All of these points can make it difficult for the novice to sow successfully every time.
Lettuce will germinate in temperatures as low as 5°C, so don’t be scared to sow directly outside early in the season. If in doubt about keeping direct-sown seed moist, cover with a thin hessian cloth for the first 5 days.
Lettuce enjoys high levels of soil fertility. Although best started off in seedling trays, lettuce can be direct-seeded and thinned in the beds.
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Sandy
Lactuca sativaA beautiful, frilly green oakleaf variety. The leaves are tender and deliciously sweet..
R33.89
Sierra
Lactuca sativaThis Batavian/crisphead-type variety is a lovely producer of tall, semi-open heads tha..
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Silvia
Lactuca sativa This gourmet Romaine-type lettuce is as pretty as a picture! The crisp, deep burgu..
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Summer Bibb
Lactuca sativaOne of the slower-bolting lettuce varieties. Developed by Lt John Bibb in the early 18..
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Summer Lettuce Blend
Lactuca sativaLettuce is a cool season crop and does not enjoy the high temperatures of summer. Most..
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Tango
Lactuca sativaThis is a real sexy lettuce – a gorgeous, densely packed, loose-leaf variety. Tango's ..
R33.89
Tom Thumb Lettuce
Lactuca sativa A super exciting butterhead variety! First released in the early 1850s, this tiny ..
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-500x500.jpg "Ultimate Head Lettuce Mix")
Ultimate Head Lettuce Mix
Lactuca sativa Heading lettuces have their own charm. This is a mix of Livingseeds' best-selling ..
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Vivian
Lactuca sativaA buttery-flavoured Romaine-type. This loose-heading variety can be picked as a loose-..
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Webb's Wonderful
Lactuca sativaIntroduced in 1890, this crisphead is one of the most popular English lettuce varietie..
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White Boston
Lactuca sativa An old heirloom variety bred specifically for its heat tolerance. This butterhead ..
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Winter Density Lettuce
Lactuca sativaCompact and dense, round, dark green heads that grow upright. With a leaf texture that..
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Wonder of 4 Seasons
Lactuca sativa A.k.a. Merveille des Quatre Saisons (Marvel of 4 Seasons), this French heirloom is..
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