Baby Oakleaf

START SEEDS OUTDOORS

In cool spring weather, start seeds in full sun. Sow seeds 1/4 nch deep and 1 inch apart in fertile, well-drained soil. When seedlings are several inches tall, thin to a final spacing of 4-5 inches apart. Extra seedlings can easily be transplanted elsewhere.

Container Spacing: Grow 3 plants in an 8 inch pot, or 7 to 8 plants in a 12 to 15 inch diameter container.

GROWING NOTES

Lettuce thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. Be sure to thin properly and keep evenly moist for sweet tasting, full heads. For a constant supply, make several sowings a few weeks apart until summer weather turns hot. Plant again in late summer for fall harvest. In hot weather, give lettuce some afternoon shade to extend harvest season and check water daily. Keep soil evenly moist and feed with liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Consider transplanting lettuce seedlings around the edges of a big pot containing a young tomato or pepper plant. The lettuces will be ready to eat just as the bigger plant grows larger and needs the space.

HARVEST AND USE

Savor young thinnings in your first spring salads. Then harvest plants by cutting mature heads when they feel firm and well-filled out. Pull over-mature plants if they begin to elongate (“bolt”) in hot weather, as leaves turn bitter at this stage.