Lettuce

Lactuca sativa - A veggie garden essential. Lettuce is fast and easy to grow, and one of the most rewarding crops for small spaces. Many of our lettuce varieties are loose leaf types, ideal for 'cut and come again' style harvests. We have some great bibb, romaine and iceberg types too.

Growing: With a little planning lettuce can be grown almost year round in Nova Scotia. I like to stagger my plantings, starting early spring and continuing until hot summer weather arrives in June. Lettuce bolts (goes to seed) during the heat of summer, but the harvest can be extended somewhat by planting later sowings in part shade and giving them plenty of water. Our best lettuce is often grown in fall; sow in August/September and extend the season into winter with cold frames or a greenhouse. Direct sow for baby leaves, or transplant for full heads.