Laitue

Lactuca sativa

Sow lettuce seed from late March outdoors, or from February indoors for transplanting — and keep sowing every two to three weeks until early August for a continuous supply. Lettuce is half-hardy (RHS H3–H4) so summer varieties bolt in heat above 25°C; choose Cos and butterhead types for cool seasons, looseleaf and iceberg for summer. Plant out 25 cm apart in moist, fertile soil with light shade if you can — pure sun in July is too much. The biggest enemy is slugs; the second is birds pulling out seedlings. Pick outer leaves of looseleaf types regularly to keep new growth coming; hearting types cut whole when firm.