lettuce (cos) 'Little Gem'
lettuce (cos) or Lactuca sativa 'Little Gem'
- approx 1400 seeds
- £2.12 £2.49
- In stock (shipped within 2-3 working days)
Delivery options
- Seed Packets (only) £2.99
- Position: full sun
- Soil: fertile and moisture retentive
- Garden care: Plant out in well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter, keeping the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to prevent bolting and bitterness. Protect young plants from frost with cloches or fleece, and thin them to around 20-25cm (8-10in) apart for good airflow.
Harvest outer leaves as needed for a continuous supply, or cut the whole head when mature; for spring crops, harvesting in the cooler mornings keeps leaves crisp and sweet. Rotate with other crops to reduce disease risk and watch for slugs in damp conditions.
Early in the season sow into trays or modules in the greenhouse or on a windowsill. Thin seedlings to 5cm (2in) apart and harden off before planting allowing 30cm (12in) between plants.
Later in the season sow direct where they are to grow in shallow drills. Protect from slugs and cover early and late sowings with a cloche. A late sowing made in August in a coldframe or in the greenhouse borders will grow on right through winter. - Sow: March to July
- Harvest: May to September
A firm favourite for generations of gardeners, this compact Cos lettuce is one of the best you can grow, with crisp, sweet hearts densely packed with flavour. Because of their relatively small size 'Little Gem' is an ideal choice for growing in containers, but it will do just as well in the open ground.
