Flashy Trout's Back
Lettuce in the UK

I usually sow lettuce little and often, from March right through to August, to make sure I've always got some coming along. You can sow direct in a shallow drill, about 1 cm deep, or start 'em off in modules in the greenhouse or on a windowsill. Pop two or three seeds per module and thin to the strongest. They'll be ready to pick in about 50 days, give or take, which is quick, you know what I mean.

Once your seedlings are big enough to handle, or if you've bought plug plants, get 'em hardened off for a week or two before planting out. Give 'em about 20-30 cm between plants, depending on the variety, so they've got room to grow into proper heads. Some smaller types, like 'Tom Thumb', do grand in pots on the patio too, if space is a bit tight.