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Sad looking lettuce!

grannycoolgrannycool Posts: 17
in Fruit & veg
hello everyone,
i haven’t posted for a very long time, not sure why, I think I just got out of the habit! I’m trying to learn how to navigate the site, it seems a lot more complicated now. Perhaps it’s just me?

My question is about ‘cut and come again’ lettuce. I grow it on my kitchen windowsill and although I persevere I always feel it could be far better than the spindly leaves that I get.
Any helpful suggestions would be gratefully received.p

grannycool

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Why do you grow it on a windowsill? Lettuce is hardy, although you won't get much growth at this time of year, or early in the year. 
    It eventually runs out of steam though, when you grow as cut and come again. The secret is to do more sowings.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • grannycoolgrannycool Posts: 17
    Hello Fairygirl, thanks for your response. I use the windowsill for convenience, as I use lettuce most mealtimes it just seems easier. Plus it stays bug free!

  • grannycoolgrannycool Posts: 17
    Thanks Philippa, I’m definitely going to try outside.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Damp and cool is what most lettuce likes. A warm window isn't great.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • grannycoolgrannycool Posts: 17
    Great advice, thanks to all, 
    grannycool
  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    Try sowing or planting them in  a wheelbarrow - that way they can be moved around to suit the climate. I grow mâche or lamb's lettuce in a wheelbarrow successfully.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

  • grannycoolgrannycool Posts: 17

    A good idea, thanks 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It gets very hot here in summer so I grow oak leaf lettuce - cut and come again - in a window box outside the kitchen on a north facing terrace.  Good compost with added fertiliser and regular watering kept the fresh leaves coming all summer.

    They did, eventually, run out of steam so I have just dumped that lot on the compost heap, filled up the 2 troughs with fresh compost and fertiliser and planted another 12 red oak leaf lettuce and put them on the south facing steps.  Growing well so far and should be ready for our first harvest in about 10 days.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I do that too @Obelixx. The oak leaf one is good. I had a Lolla Rossa and another dark one this year - can't recall the name. 
    I keep most pots in a shadier spot, even thought it won't be as hot here as you have, and some near the back door, and then I can switch them around as needed. They're also quite decorative. I had a pot of them earlier in the year,  sitting with some other similarly coloured planting  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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