Each of the mixes can be grown all year round, for a continuous supply of tasty and nutritious baby leaves. They can be grown in the home, on windowsills or raised in pots in glasshouses or polytunnels in cooler areas for winter early spring crops.

The time from sowing to harvest can be as little as 28 days, harvesting when the leaves are between 12 and 15cm tall (5-6”) and although re-growth can be harvested, it is better to sow little and often for continuity.

Sowing:

In autumn and winter seed can be sown into pots or seed trays which can be grown on the kitchen windowsill or in a heated conservatory/greenhouse. Sow 20-30 seeds into a 10-12cm pot using a free draining compost and cover seed lightly after sowing.

For spring and summer crops, sow direct into prepared seed beds in the kitchen garden or greenhouse border, and this is the best growing technique for spring and summer crops.

Sow outdoors sprinkle seeds 1/2" apart in a 2-4" wide row covering lightly or broadcast sow.

Tip a small amount of seed into your hand, take a pinch and spread thinly along the trench. Cover with soil, label and water. If birds are a problem in your garden, spread netting to prevent them eating the seed.

Sow every two weeks for a continual supply of tender young leaf.

Cultivation:

The best tasting leaves come from plants which are grown quickly; this means a temperature of 15-19°C (60-70°F). Under optimum growing conditions a crop of salad leaves can be ready for picking 3-4 weeks from sowing. Slower growing crops can become more fibrous and hotter flavoured.

Once cut the plants should have sufficient energy for regrowth to provide a second or even third crop of leaves, giving a regular supply with "little and often" sowings.

Harvest:

Harvest after approx 3 weeks by clipping with scissors, most plants in the mix will regrow

Rotation considerations:

Avoid following radicchio, endive, escarole or artichoke.

Good Companions:

Everything, but especially carrot, garlic, onion, and radish

Bad Companions:

None.

Lettuce - “Little Gem”

(Lactuca sativa)

Packet containing 50+ Pelleted Seeds.

Annual

Papaver rhoeas  “Flanders Poppy"
(Corn Poppy, Flanders Poppy, Field Poppy)

Packet containing 1 gram - 10,000+ seeds.
Hardy Annual

Bloom Time:                       Late Spring to Mid Summer
Ultimate Height:                 30-45cm (12-18”)
Ultimate Spread:                30-38cm (12-15”)
Position:                             Full Sun
Soil:                                   Well drained, Light.
Aspect:                               West or South facing. Sheltered.

With its brilliant scarlet flowers, usually with a black blob at the base of the petals, this native wild flower needs no introduction.
Papaver rhoeas self-sows readily and is a good choice for naturalizing in a meadow garden.

Single, red, cup-shaped flowers have a black blotch in the centre. It is the classic poppy bloom: a native wildflower of the British Isles, poppies paint a new road verge or embankment a brilliant hue in their first year. Once a common sight in cornfields, more effective seed cleaning and use of selective herbicides have made poppies much rarer.

The original species of this plant was introduced from Russia in 1876 by William Thompson, the founder of the Thompson and Morgan Seed Company. Leaves are deeply lobed and the plant is fully hardy.

One point worth mentioning is that, if after cutting, the base of the stems are held for a few seconds in a flame or boiling water, the flowers will last several days in water. 1-2 ft.

Sowing:                   Sow directly in March to May
Seeds are best sown directly where they are to flower in short drills ½ in deep from March to May (at around 20*C / 68*F).
Cover lightly with soil, mark the sowing areas with a ring of light coloured sand and label if sowing more than one annual in the same bed.
Seeds germinate in less than two weeks. The seedlings will appear in rows approx 6-8 weeks after planting and can be told from nearby weed seedlings quite easily. Thin the seedlings out so they are finally 4–6 in apart by early summer.
Alternatively, leave them to grow as small clumps, of 4-6 plants every 12in or so. Compost should be kept slightly moist, but not wet at all times.

Cultivation
Prefers well drained soil enriched with manure or compost ahead of planting. Feeding is rarely needed but water well if there are prolonged periods of drought.

Aftercare:
Remove spent flowers to encourage prolific blooming. At the end of the season, if required, leave a few plants to die down and self seed. Others can be pulled up and composted

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Borders and Beds, Wildflower meadows, Butterfly & Bee Gardens, Cut Flowers.