Lettuce 'Valmaine' (Romaine/Cut And Come Again) (National Trust)

These packets are produced in association with the National Trust

Crops over a long season

Reliable cut and come again variety

Crisp sweet flavour ieal for salads and sandwiches

Average Contents : 800 Seeds

Through sales generated from the National Trust seeds, a minimum of œ7,500 will be given to the National Trust to help look after nature, beauty and history for everyone, forever.

This reliable cut and come again variety will provide you with a rewardingly long harvest of tasty, crunchy salad leaves. Salad is always best eaten freshly picked for optimum texture and flavour - with successive sowings, Lettuce 'Valmaine' will treat you to an ongoing supply of fresh green leaves to harvest repeatedly throughout summer and into autumn. The long leaves with sweet flavour and fleshy texture are perfect for adding to salads and sandwiches, especially the young leaves which have no bitterness. Harvest the leaves regularly to encourage fresh new leaves to grow, or allow them to form a dense conical head with a crisp, crunchy texture. Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 25cm (10").

Sowing

Direct sow lettuce seeds outdoors from March to August into well prepared, fertile, moist soil in sun or semi shade. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 1cm («") in drills 30cm (12") apart in soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings to 30cm (12") apart and cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. Make regular sowings for a constant supply.

More Info

Water lettuce frequently and hoe between plants regularly to prevent weeds from establishing. Dry weather may cause heads of lettuce plants to bolt so watering is particularly critical during the 2 weeks before harvesting. A thick mulch applied around the plants will help to retain moisture in the soil. Harvest lettuce when required by pulling up the entire plant before trimming off the stem with a knife.