Lettuce 'Winter Gem'

Keep the seedling well ventilated on bright days to encourage air circulation around the plants and minimise the risk of rot.
Not suitable for growing out doors
Harvest mid winter to spring. Temperature control is important to keep the seedlings growing.

Try to plant in a location that enjoys partial sun and remember to water often. Keep in mind when planting that Winter Gem is thought of as tender, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside. Winter Gem requires a loamy soil with a ph of 5.8 - 6.8 - it grows best in weakly acidic soil.

Sow seeds in pots or in a tray and cover only lightly with compost or vermiculite. Lettuce seeds need light to germinate. Keep the seeds at a minimum of 15C until germinated. Seed will not germinate if conditions are too cold
Not suitable for growing out of doors, this variety is for growing outside under the protection of a cold frame, greenhouse, polly tunnel, or plastic greenhouse. But it is possible to make the protection the growing seedlings need from bits and pieced you gave around, such as cut down fizzy pop, or milk cartons.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.23 inches (0.6 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Winter Gem about 53 days before your last frost date.

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle in the greehouse border, grow bags or cold frame about 5 weeks from sowing.
Allow 20cm all around for each plant
Keep plants protected and in a bright position, to make the most of the winter sun

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 15°C / 59°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Winter Gem is a tender plant.

Winter Gem is ready to eat when the leaves have reached a useful size. It is naturally a small lettuce

Expect harvests to start to occur in mid winter.

Specially bred as a winter lettuce for short day production

Winter Cos