Lettuce Plants

Lettuce is a staple garden crop. Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced vegetable gardener you will know that this crop is a must have and there is nothing better than picking fresh salad leaves.

If you would like to grow lettuce from seed we have sourced a great selection, visit our links page for more details.

How to grow

Lettuce are very easy to grow. When your plants are delivered you can plant them in to their final position. Lettuce are versatile and you can plant them in to containers, window boxes or raised vegetable beds.

Position

Lettuce enjoy cooler temperatures and can't thrive in full sun as they will wilt. Grow lettuce in part sun and you can even grow them below taller vegetables, such as corn, or between rows of slower growing crops, such as sprouts.

Soil

Lettuce grow well in most soils but to ensure they remain succulent you should incorporate plenty of organic matter. This will provide vital nutrients for growth and absorb much needed moisture. Prior to planting you can also apply a general fertilizer to promote good leaf growth.

Care

Water well and keep an eye out for pest or sun damage. You can install an irrigation system to ensure plants do not dry out or grow using Water Beads. Alternatively, shade plants using garden fleece.

Harvesting

You can remove leaves when required or you can allow the lettuce to grow fully and harvest whole. If you are going to wait, test the lettuce for a firm heart by squeezing it gently. When the lettuce is firm and of good size, remove the whole plant, with the roots too. Cut the roots off and add these to the compost heap.

Top Tip

Slugs adore lettuce. Make sure you have taken precautions to prevent slug damage.

Black Seeded Simpson

Black Seeded Simpson is a loose leaf lettuce with upright leaves that are great for continuous cutting. The light green leaves are curled and crimped at the margins. The Black Seeded Simpson is also heat tolerant.

Buttercrunch Lettuce

Buttercrunch lettuce is a butterhead lettuce with great flavor and texture. It is very popular because of it's compact heads with loose leaves that are soft and tender. The plant is slow to bolt. Buttercrunch is an All-American Selections winner.

Cimmaron Romaine Heirloom

Cimmaron Romaine is an heirloom variety that almost never bolts. The leaves grow up to 12" long and are a deep red. Cimmaron Romaine leaves also have great flavor and texture.

Great Lakes 118

The Great Lakes 118 Lettuce variety is a hearty type with a good tolerance to cold and resistance to tip-burn. The large heads are thick, dense and reliable. Great Lakes 118 is an All-American Selections winner.

Green Romaine Lettuce

Green Romaine lettuce has very tightly packed leaves. They are frost tolerant and have a great dark green color. Green Romaine heads grow to about 8" tall.

Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce is a traditional green lettuce with crisp, tightly packed leaves that go from green on the outside to white at the heart. The compact lettuce heads do well in cool weather.

Lolla Rosa Lettuce

The Lolla Rosa is an extremely curly variety of lettuce. The leaves are green at the base changing to to red near the ends. The mild tasting Lolla Rosa leaves can be harvested continually.

Prizehead Lettuce

The Prizehead is a fast growing lettuce with large loose leaves. The leaves are green with a reddish tint toward the ends. The heads are hefty and have crumpled, curly leaves.

Red Sails Lettuce

Red Sails lettuce is a fast growing variety that is great for warmer climates. The heads are slow to bolt and hold their color and sweetness in warm weather. The heads grow up to a foot across with reddish leaves that darken as they mature. Red Sails is an All-American Selections winner.

Salad Bowl Green

Salad Bowl Green lettuce has loose leaves and bumpy texture. The leaves are tender and sweet even after it grow warm outside. The heads bolt slowly. Salad Bowl Green is an All-American Selections winner.

Salad Bowl Red Lettuce

Salad Bowl Red lettuce has very loose leaves on a slowly bolting head. The head produces continually so that the outer leaves can be picked while the inner leaves continue to grow. Salad Bowl Red lettuce is a perfect addition to salads for an appealing look.

Try our Water Beads

Blue Water Beads

Use Blue Water Beads to match or contrast with your décor. Place them in a clear pretty bowl or decorated plate with an upturned rim. Mix with other contrast colors from your overall color scheme to pull this together as a centerpiece. It will be a real conversation starter!

Clear Water Beads

Use Clear Water Beads when you just want the delivery system without making a color statement. Mix clear Water Beads with a color to create a lighter effect. Layer them with other colors to provide more visual interest.

Green Water Beads

Use Green Water Beads as a nice understory for potted plants, or a neutral color in a clear vase with a multi-colored bouquet. Layer with Clear for a lighter touch.

Melon Water Beads

Use Melon Water Beads to enhance the color of pink or red flowers, or contrast with white ones.

Orange Water Beads

Use Orange Water Beads to spice up a room. This color works well with Southwest style decorating. Layer them with Teal and Clear for a truly stunning display.

Pink Water Beads

Use Pink Water Beads for a light touch of color to complement pink flowers or contrast with white or purple ones. Put them into a clean candle jar with a tight fitting lid and decorate a little girl’s room.

Purple Water Beads

Use Purple Water Beads in urn-shaped vase as an addition to a contemplation nook. Purple is the color of spirituality and calm, so let these beautiful Water Beads become a focal point for your meditative or prayerful practice.

Teal Water Beads

Use Teal Water Beads to complement aqua and teal colored flowers – like those interesting dyed carnations! Combine with orange and white for southwest style decorating. Combine with clear to remind you of Native American turquoise and silver jewelry.