Always use fresh seeds because old lettuce seeds are unlikely to germinate well. Make small successive sowings every 2-3 weeks for continuous crops. Sow directly into the soil from early spring to mid-summer, creating a shallow trench about 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep using a cane.
THINNING: Thin young plants to their final spacing along the row when they are approximately 2 in. (5 cm) tall: spacings vary from 6 to 12 in. (15 to 30 cm) depending on variety. Remove unwanted plants with your fingers and add them to salads as delicious seedlings.
WATER: Regularly water the soil around the plants in dry weather and as they mature. Avoid splashing the leaves, this can cause blight or fungal disease problems.
PROTECT: Create traps and barriers to prevent slugs and snails from destroying seedlings. Check the crops at night with a torch and remove all pests. Cover lettuces with cloches in early spring and fall to protect them from cold and extend the growing season. Grow winter lettuces in an unheated greenhouse.
