LETTUCE - LITTLE GEM

    Organic Lettuce Little Gem

        150 Seeds Pack    

 Little Gem lettuce, also known as 'Sutton's Little Gem Cos' or simply 'Little Gem Cos,' is a unique variety that often causes confusion due to its appearance. Though it belongs to the Cos or Romaine family, its small size and compact growth give it the look of a tiny butterhead lettuce. This variety is relatively heat-tolerant and produces bright green heads about five inches wide, with crisp, crunchy hearts and excellent flavour.

The lettuce grows as a small to medium-sized head, typically 13-20 centimetres in diameter, with a compact, vase-like shape and densely packed leaves. Its wavy, serrated leaves are smooth, thick, and fleshy, transitioning from vibrant green on the outer edges to pale green-white along the sturdy midrib. The outer leaves are tender and crisp with a melting texture, while the inner leaves near the core are ribbed, succulent, and crunchy. Little Gem lettuce combines a buttery texture with crispness and a subtly sweet flavour, making it a favourite for salads and fresh dishes.

    PLANTING & GROWING

Lettuce is a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that thrives in containers or garden beds. It can be grown in plant containers on a balcony or indoors near a sunny window. Use a pot that’s at least 20cm (8 inch) wide with drainage holes to ensure proper growth, as lettuce has sensitive roots and does not respond well to repotting. 

If starting seeds indoors, disinfect all pots, trays, seed cells, and covers to prevent damping off.

Lettuce tolerates a wide range of soils but grows best in well-drained, cool, loose soil with plenty of moisture and a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. If the pH is too low, add lime to raise it to at least 6.0. Seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days, with optimal germination temperatures of 4 to 16°C (40 to 60°F); rates decrease above 20°C (68°F). Ideal growth occurs between 16 and 18°C (60 to 65°F).

Lettuce can be sown almost year-round. Start seeds under protection from February to March and transplant outdoors in April, or sow directly outdoors from March to August. For overwintering, sow in early autumn. For the best harvests, sow in succession every 14 days from spring to mid-summer. Butterhead varieties mature in about 72 days and are more drought-tolerant than most salad greens.

To plant, sow seeds at a depth of 6 to 12 mm (¼ to ½ inch) in rows spaced 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Create shallow trenches with a cane, spacing rows about 20 cm (8 inches) apart. When seedlings reach 2 cm (1 inch) tall, thin them to 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) apart to allow proper growth. The lettuce flower, called a capitulum, is hermaphroditic and self-pollinating, but cross-pollination by insects can occur, especially in hot climates.

Lettuce pairs well with root crops like radish, carrot, parsnip, and beets, as well as taller plants, aromatic herbs, and alliums (onions, leeks, garlic). Alliums also repel caterpillar pests attracted to leafy greens. In fall, planting lettuce alongside root or allium crops can help maintain healthy greens through winter.

Avoid planting lettuce near cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and mustards, as they are incompatible companions.

Avoid planting lettuce in the same location for consecutive growing seasons.