STEP BY STEP

How to sow lettuce seed

OVERFILL a tray with seed-sowing compost. Swipe the excess mix off the top and firm in using your hands – or press down with the bottom of a tray of the same size.

USE a dibber or pencil to create straight lines that are 1cm deep, 3-5cm apart. The closer the lines, the sooner you will need to transplant or repot the seedlings.

SOW your seeds thinly, 2cm apart or closer if you want to thin out the seedlings as they grow so you can eat them as microcrops. Pinch the soil closed, covering the seeds.

LABEL the tray and water gently but generously from a watering can with a rose. Leave to drain and then place in an unheated greenhouse or on a windowsill.