While some of my summer lettuces are still going strong (Freckles and Maravilla de Verano de Canasta), others (Solix and Chatsworth) have started to bolt and it’s time to replace them with seedlings that are waiting in the wings. I planted these Black Seeded Simpson Lettuces three weeks ago, and they’re good and ready now for filling those gaps. (Seeds available from Sarah Raven and Nicky’s Seeds.)
I’ve found that these 5 x 3 modules are an excellent size for getting young seedlings growing. I usually sow 2 seeds per module and if they both germinate, thin them down to one plant. There’s plenty of room for the plants to grow to a decent size before planting out, and the standard sized trays are small enough for me to try out a few different varieties in my mini greenhouse.
Michelle at Veg Plotting says that Black Seeded Simpson is her favourite lettuce this year and I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow over autumn. Meanwhile, it’s time to sow another batch of lettuces (I’m trying out Lettony, Bridgemere and New Red Fire-all from Sea Spring Seeds) and I also have some Endives ( Cornet de Bordeaux) and Chicories (Sugar Loaf, Palla Rossa and Variegata de Castelfranco-all available from Suffolk Herbs) to try out for autumn and winter this year too. Hurrah for a bit of cooler weather to get sowing.
Out of my shed 
Hurrah indeed! A great reminder I need to get a-sowing this weekend. I haven’t quite decided which ones to sow yet, though!
Hi Michelle, I know I’ll be struggling for space if I grow all that I plan to, but I’ve never really concentrated on chicories and endives for winter leaves before, so will have to find space for them all somehow! Happy decision making! Nx
Black Seeded Simpson is my favorite. It grows really well for me here in the southern USA. Our summers are too hot to keep lettuce going, So I have lettuce in the spring, then again in the fall. About the first of September I’ll be sowing again.
Have a wonderful day!
Lea
Lea’s Menagerie
Hi Lea, We’ve had an unusually hot spell here in the UK and some lettuces had bolted, but usually we have plenty of rain for summer lettuces! Good to know that Black Seeded Simpson is also a favourite across the pond. V.best Naomi
wow…love this blog…I’m a novice…and I have a lot of questions if I may… Is it too early/late to sow lettuces in London? Do I do it indoors first?….is there anything else I can be sowing right now? ….This is my third summer gardening veg and so far only courgettes, runner beans and tomatoes….quite successfully but I want to branch out….thanks…great blog, must carry on reading…
Hi Princess, Now is the perfect time to sow lettuces in London and these could last up until Christmas, depending on the weather. You can happily sow them outdoors at this time of year. I sow mine in my mini greenhouse with its doors open just to try and keep the seedlings away from snails and slugs. In the next few weeks, you could also sow all kinds of mustard leaves-mibuna, mizuna, red knight mizuna and green in snow, red frills (the list is endless), Also try swiss chard which will happily over winter in London as will Kale, and for a quick salad crop try delicious Pea shoots And as I mentioned, it’s the perfect time to start off chicories and endives which are hardy leaves for autumn and winetr. I’ll be using small cloches later in the year to protect them from the harshest of weather over winter. Also the fantastic Jono at Real Men Sow suggest sowing more French and runner beans now for autumn crops and for freezing. Happy sowing! V.best Naomi
thank you …..thank you
Yes a very timely reminder. I find I stop thinking ahead at this time of year instead I simply enjoy what I’m cropping. But as we know that’s what leads to the hungry gap!
Hi Sue, That’s it exactly! This year I’m determined to not forget to get sowing for more autumn and winter crops…
Great reminder to sow again, I am inspired by you to try chicory this year and now french beans, which I haven’t tried this late before, thank you.
Hi Julie, Plans are great as long as you carry them out! Must sow my chicory soon, and my endives! Hope you get a good crop of beans. Bonkers weather, raining one day and 30degrees the next. Good for our plants hopefully though.
I’m a big fan of Black Seeded Simpson too, and am very impressed that you are all organised – me, not so much. Still need to sow, currently “enjoying” a gap in lettuce supplies…
Hi Janet, for once I’m organised, but a little hampered by slug, snail and squirrel activity. GRrr..Even so, I think I’ll have a bit of a gap too. Must get sowing some pea shoots for a quick salad alternative.