Description
Cos Lettuce 'Little Gem' produces small compact, crisp, hearts with an excellent sweet flavour and crunchy texture. They are a quick maturing variety, with a tolerance to heat and therefore a fair resistance to bolting.
An easy to grow lettuce, ideal for sowing successionally meaning that it is perfect to grow when space is limited, in a pot or container on the patio. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner.
When to Sow | Sow successionally end of February to August (Feb to May indoors or in a greenhouse/ May to August outdoors). |
Where to Sow | Sow indoors or in a greenhouse, thinly in moist compost filled modules or trays, 1cm (1/2in) deep. Germination rates best at 4 to 16°C (40 to 60°F). |
Sow outdoors, thinly in final growing position, 1cm (1/2in) deep, with rows 30 cm (12in) apart. | |
Little Gem prefers light, well drained, moisture retentive, fertile soil in a sunny open site but will tolerate light shade in summer. | |
What to do Next | Prick out indoor sown seeds (May) into individual pots and grow on until ready to transplant to final growing positions after hardening off for 7 days. Plant 25cm (10in) apart in rows 30cm (12in) apart. |
For outdoor sowings, as soon as seedlings are large enough to handle, thin out weakest seedlings until plants are spaced 25cm (10in) apart. Seedlings can be transplanted into other rows ensuring that they are watered in well. | |
Water well, especially during periods of dry weather and in the 2 weeks prior to harvesting, and keep weed free. | |
Harvest | June to October. |
Handy Tips | Harvest before the central stem starts to form as this is a sign the plant is ready to bolt. |
Companion Planting | Good Companion: Carrot, garlic, onion, radish and nasturtiums. |
Bad Companion: None | |
Nutritional Information | A good source of antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin C and K. |
Serving Suggestion | Little Gem Lettuce are delicious eaten raw in salads, or braised or sautéed. |
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