Lettuce - Batavian (Summer & Autumn)

Growing lettuce successfully is not as simple as it may seem. The soil should be in good heart and have adequate levels of moisture and lime. Timely thinning to avoid overcrowding and build up of disease is vital. Try to keep plants growing consistently by watering in dry weather as this helps to avoid bolting. Soil pests can be controlled with a proprietary chemical, while slugs will need to be dealt with. Downy mildew and botrytis can also be a problem and can be treated with relevant fungicides.

We are delighted to be able to offer to you, a range of pelleted lettuce seed this season. We have received many requests over the past few years and now, thanks to the collaboration with Rijk Zwaan UK Ltd, we have many eye catching, tasty and exciting new introductions for you. Rijk Zwaan varieties are easily recognisable throughout this section as each of their varieties have the letters RZ following the varietal name. With this range we are able to offer the very latest up-to-date varieties, with the best disease  resistances available; in short professional quality seed for the home gardener.

'Pelleted Seed' is simply a seed which has been enclosed within a clay based material, this splits open when water is applied. It makes them easier to see and handle. (Please note, in our range none of these pellets will have been chemically treated and many are in fact organic). These pellets can be spaced more precisely which will reduce the need for thinning and can also be sown direct into module trays. Pelleted seeds will have a letter P after their codes. Sow as for normal lettuce; however when sowing do not be tempted to bury the pellets too deep, just beneath the surface will suffice.

Sow outdoors from April to July, thin seedlings to a final spacing of 30cm (1ft) with the exception of Little Gem and Salad Bowl types which should be thinned to 23cm (9"). Leave 30cm (1ft) between the rows. Sow under glass during February in small peat pots planting out under cloches in March for early crops. Transplanting thinnings can be undertaken, but lettuce do not like disturbance.  Diveria RZ can be sown all year round, use protection for early and late sowings.