Rob Smith is ready to say farewell to frost
Transplant lettuce outside, but cover up in case of a cold snap
This week is one of my favourite weeks of the gardening year, not because of the lengthening days or anything like that, but simply because this week is officially the last date for a frost in Sheffield. I must admit, I always take this with a pinch of salt, as we’ve all been caught out by a late frost and lost some of our plants before. It’s not a nice feeling, hence I still have rolls of fleece ready to throw over any particularly delicate crops, usually after watching the nightly weather forecast.
If you’re like me, your greenhouse will be bulging with plants that are ready to be transplanted outside or into a tunnel. Try to leave the more tender plants (such as tomatoes and peppers) a week or two before transplanting outside, as this gives you time to concentrate on the crops that can withstand cooler conditions. I’ve been making multiple sowings of lettuce recently, and not only are they fast growing, but it doesn’t really matter if you lose a few to bad weather, as you just sow some more, and in a matter of weeks you’ll be picking fresh ones. I use pop-up fleece cloches over mine, giving them just enough protection to grow in cooler temperatures.
The best performing variety up to now is called ‘Outredgeous’ from the States. It’s a red-leaved romaine that NASA took as seed into space, and it was then grown and eaten by the astronauts on the mission. My theory is, if it’ll grow in space, it’s certainly capable of growing under a cloche on my allotment in Sheffield!
I started my seeds off indoors, but at this time of year you should be able to directly sow a few straight into pots or the open ground. Germination will take a week or two, resulting in small, green/red-leaved plants with a really good root system. Next, just make sure you leave 15cm (6in) between plants, and let them grow on to maturity, which should take about six weeks.
Not only will you have beautiful red leaves, but you’ll have a taste that’s totally out of this world. Seeds are available online from multiple sources.