Lettuce

One of the worlds favourite vegetables, lettuce, has been cultivated for millenia. Egyptian wall paintings dating back to 4500bc indicate that it was grown in dedication to Min, the god of fertility and male sexual potency. This lettuce was different to the kind we know today, they were tall and virile cultivars. The Greeks, Romans and Chinese all contributed to the genetic developement of lettuce before they became the delicate, crisp mild flavoured varieties we eat today.

Care

Winter is a great time to be growing lettuce, most leafy greens prefer to grow in cooler weather. Lettuces like full sun and rich free draining soil, dont let them dry out.

Follow these tips for healthy lettuce.

* Mulch around your plants to keep the weeds out and the moisture in.

*Add your own compost or mature cow manure into the soil two weeks before planting and don't feed with too much high in nitrogen fertiliser as the leaves will go soft and prone to attack from pests.

* Liquid fertilsers such as Harvest, Thrive and Maxicrop are best for lettuce, apply these every few weeks.

* Try perennial lettuce or cut and come again lettuce, which keeps producing leaves rom the centre of the plant throughout the season, leaving the outer ones ready to pick.

* Include a range of green and red lettuce, our favourites are baby cos, and oakleaf. 

* Eat when young, don't leave for too long without harvesting or the leaves will become bitter.

* Pick leaves just before dinner or the best and freshest taste.

* Protect from snails and slugs with beer traps, a mulch of coffee grounds or snail pellets.