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Growing this gourmet mesclun blend is a fine way to sample a variety of unusual greens. Choi sum, komatsuna, mizuna, pac choi, giant red mustard, red lettuce, and spinach combine for a delicious salad. Saladini Blend mesclun seeds produce a very pleasing and attractive combination of colours and textures. Scatter the seeds on the soil surface and keep moist until the little seedlings appear. This blend works just as well in patio containers as it does in the garden, and brings a range of foodie flavours that would be hard to come by if grown individually. Harvest with scissors at least twice from a single planting - cut, and come again
How to Grow Lettuce
Step 1: Timing
Lettuce grows best in cool weather in the spring and fall, but it can be grown in the summer, and all winter long in milder regions. Sow short rows every 2-3 weeks following the last average frost date for a continual harvest. Using a cloche, cold frame, or greenhouse over mid-late summer plantings can extend the harvest period right into winter. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-22°C (50-72°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-15 days, depending on conditions. Lettuce seeds don’t sprout easily when the soil temperature is over 22°C (72°F) in summer. Get around this by sprouting them indoors in a cool area, or pre-sprout by sprinkling seeds on a damp paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days. In hot weather most lettuce goes to seed rapidly, so have new plantings ready to go, and watch for "good resistance to bolting" in the product description.
Step 2: Starting
Direct sow or start indoors and transplant. Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep, or on the surface of the soil where the soil can be kept evenly moist. Space or thin heading lettuce to 30cm (12″) apart. Space or thin looseleaf varieties to 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Space rows for all types 45-90cm (18-36″) apart. Babyleaf and Loose leaf lettuce can be planted quite densely, as it is harvested at an immature size. Sowing lettuce seeds closely together in narrow rows makes harvesting simpler.
Step 3: Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5.
Aim for a soil with ample drainage and lots of organic matter. Add compost and lime at least 3 weeks prior to planting. One cup of balanced organic fertilizer per 3m (10′) of row will give adequate nutrition. Seedlings should be hardened off by reducing water and putting the plants outdoors 2 or 3 days before transplanting. This will help to prevent transplant shock and premature bolting. Regular watering is essential to prevent leaves from developing a bitter taste.
Step 4: Germination
Days to maturity: From direct sowing. Most varieties will be ready for harvesting as baby leaves in half the days shown on the packet.
In optimal growing conditions at least 70% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years.
Step 5: Harvest
Pick individual leaves or wait and harvest full heads. Mature summer lettuce stays in prime eating condition only a short time, so harvest promptly and keep planting. In fall and winter the plants stay in good harvest condition longer.