Fresh salad can be grown through the winter – in the garden or in a window box. With careful planning you could be picking fresh leaves to garnish your Christmas dinner.
What to do
Sow seeds between late August and mid-November. Regular sowings will ensure that you have a good continuous crop.
Choose a sheltered sunny spot in the garden and prepare the soil by digging over and mixing in well-rotted manure or garden compost. This will add nutrients and help the soil retain moisture. Rake to leave a fine finish.
Alternatively prepare a container mix of potting compost and John Innes and use a window box or pot.
Sow seeds in short, shallow rows. Cover with soil, label and water.
If a sharp dip in temperature is predicted (particularly overnight), consider covering your seeds with a cloche or fleece to protect them.
Harvest leaves from cut-and-come again lettuces when plants are about 5cm (2in) high, or allow the plants to grow to about 15cm and cut the whole head off leaving a 3cm (1in) stump - a new plant should soon re-sprout.
