Transform your garden into a living salad bowl with organic lettuce and leafy green seeds. Success begins with rich, loose soil packed with organic matter, creating the perfect environment for tender leaves to flourish. These versatile crops thrive in both partial and full sun locations, though they prefer cooler conditions for optimal growth. Direct sowing in early spring or late summer yields continuous harvests, while succession planting ensures fresh greens throughout the growing season. Master the cut-and-come-again technique, and your organic lettuce patch will provide multiple harvests from a single planting. Keep the soil consistently moist and provide light, regular feeding to prevent bitter leaves and encourage steady, healthy growth. For summer harvests, choose heat-resistant varieties and consider providing afternoon shade to prevent premature bolting.

The story of lettuce cultivation spans over four millennia, beginning in ancient Egypt, where these leafy greens were so highly valued that they were linked to fertility and featured in religious ceremonies. The Romans elevated lettuce growing to an art form, recognising its digestive benefits and developing new varieties. By the 17th century, French horticulturists had revolutionised lettuce breeding, creating the butterhead and crisphead types we know today. Louis XIV’s dedication to fresh greens was so great that his gardeners developed methods for year-round production, while Victorian innovators used glass cloches to extend the growing season. The 20th century saw the rise of iceberg lettuce through refrigerated transport, while modern health consciousness has sparked renewed interest in nutrient-dense varieties like kale and rocket. Today’s urban farming movement continues this legacy of innovation, utilising hydroponic systems to bring fresh greens to city dwellers.