It's easy to overlook lettuce. We talk about tomatoes, courgettes and beans with great excitement, while lettuce often gets dismissed as 'just lettuce'.
But anyone who grows their own knows better.
Freshly picked lettuce has flavour, texture and character that supermarket leaves simply can't match. That's why I've chosen three very different summer varieties, each bringing something special to the garden and the salad bowl.
Sow them separately, mix them together, create colourful patterns in beds, or sow a pinch every week for a steady supply. However you grow them, these three summer stars will keep you well supplied with fresh, tasty leaves through the season.
All Year Round – well the name says it all…but not quite. This is a softer leafed butterhead type, picked and eaten garden-fresh from your plot you’ll discover refreshing luscious leaves that pair exceptionally well with herby flavours such as lemon balm and chives for summer succulence.
Miniko – a lovely, crisp and delicious, one lettuce per day, iceberg experience! Super for growing in smaller spaces too. Should you want more, just pick two at a time! These will take your lettuces through to mid autumn for those late warm days.
Tarengo – flavourful and fabulously beautiful with burgundy toned green frilly edged shiny leaves. This is a crisp leafed Batavian type for a refreshing salad munch! From the first baby leaves to the last heads this variety will take you from summer to early autumn.
📌Our top tip for lettuce sowing in hotter weather - place the seed packet in the fridge overnight, this cooling down will help with germination.
Once you've tasted lettuce picked fresh from your own garden, 'just lettuce' will never quite mean the same thing again
