Kitchen Garden Forum

I seriously needed some new lettuce sown before the end of July. Fortunately 31 July was a cool morning - well below 20C. Three pots of lettuce sown early morning, watered with cold water - success. I pricked out 60 fine seedlings yesterday.

Amazed to read all the problems germinating lettuce, in ignorance I sowed in all weathers in the greenhouse and they always come up, even in a heatwave, I keep them well watered and not in the sunniest spots, perhaps with some shade from the grape vine, there is a through movement of air too which probably helps cool them.

I sometimes think we overwater in hot dry weather.
Can I suggest when sowing carrots the drill is thoroughly watered first then cover the seeds with dry soil and don't water anymore till the seedlings appear. However dry it make look don't be tempted. Their roots will go down and find the moisture.
Watering pans the surface and makes if more difficult for them to come through.

Beryl.

Good advice Beryl, also I make use of a good natural downpour too, consider what can I plant to capitalise on it, we don't get many in the summer months here.