[vegypete]

hi ya i sowed a short row of little gem lettuce, a week ago to my amazement they are sprouting up allready, do i just thin them out or can i transplant them...............pete

[gavinjconway]

Wait till they are a couple of inches high with at least 2 proper leaves.. plant them out in 2 weekly batches so you have a longer picking period - thinning out systematically as you plant out will also work..

[mumofstig]

Yes, you can transplant the thinnings if you're gentle with them 

[DD.]

I do them like this:

A small pinch in a pot.

Once big enough to handle, transplant into seed tray, (I do 15 in a large tray). At the same time sow another pinch of seed.

Grow the first lot on until they have at least 2 pairs of true leaves, then plant out. Then transplant your second lot of seed into the now empty seed tray and sow a third pinch.

Keep repeating the process and without having to think about it, you're assured of a succession of lettuce rather than a glut.

[AlistairMcLennan]

DD,

That is a brillant way to do it.  When you are sowing them, do you do it in the greenhouse? Just that I am not allowed to grow items in the house so its the greenhouse or nothing  lol

[savbo]

I hide my lettuces (in one of those clear boxes flapjacks come in from T**co) in the cool back kitchen so OH doesn't know...

only kidding

I've been using unheated greenhouse to now but from here on will germinate on a shelf outdoors cos lettuce don't like heat, do they?

[DD.]

Exactly. Any sown now will be outside.