April marks the perfect time for keen gardeners to begin sowing vegetable seeds. BBC presenter and horticultural expert Monty Don, who releases a gardening newsletter every month, is full of wisdom for gardeners of all skill levels.
His advice is even more crucial now, as the gardening calendar kicks into gear, ensuring green thumbs can transform their gardens into green havens. Monty Don has heralded lettuce as “one of the easiest of all plants to grow and freshly harvested.” He noted the unique advantage of growing your own lettuce: not only is it easy to cultivate, but it also tastes better when it’s homegrown.
While harvest time may take six to eight weeks, Monty has reassured that patience pays off with a crop lasting up to a month, “if kept watered and cool.”
He has highlighted the importance of starting lettuce early in April’s mild temperatures, side-stepping the difficulties of a blistering summer’s impact on the crop.
Monty suggested the optimum range for lettuce lies between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius, alongside plenty sunshine and defence against insects and undergrowth, reports the Mirror.
As well as this, he has hailed “succession planting” as a strategic measure to guarantee a continuous stream of crisp lettuce leaves throughout the growing period.
He explained: “To avoid a glut or, worse, your lettuce all running to seed at once in very hot weather, the secret is to have good succession – which essentially means maintaining a small but constant supply of plants rather than one big harvest.”
He added: “To do this sow some new seed every three or four weeks and as one batch goes over another will be ready to eat with a third growing on as young seedlings.”
However, lettuce cultivation can be hard. Monty Don warned that slugs and snails pose a threat as they love to munch on tender lettuce seedlings.
To deter these hungry pests, he suggests using an organic remedy: constructing barriers out of crushed eggshells.
The brittle texture of the shells is off-putting for slugs and snails, making this method an excellent, chemical-free tactic to protect your plants.
Monty Don’s tips for growing lettuce in April are straightforward: get started early and take measures against garden pests. Sticking to these easy instructions allows gardeners to secure a continuous bounty of fresh lettuce all season long.
Additionally, gardeners should remember that it takes several weeks for lettuce to reach maturity. This period provides an excellent chance to plant diverse fruits and vegetables, adding both utility and beauty to your garden space.
By carefully planning, green thumbs can grow a varied and fruitful garden that creates fresh produce all season long. This approach also optimises the use of available space, ensuring each part of the garden is used effectively.
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, Monty’s advice will help you make your outdoor space look as good as possible as the new season approaches.