The May Queen Lettuce is a heirloom from the 1900's and is renowned as the monarch of the garden. Its hardy nature enables it to withstand frost and form a tight head with a medium-sized central heart and fleshy and tender external leaves, often with red-brown edges like its Batavia counterpart. This early and vigorous variety is perfect for spring and autumn lettuce, providing nutritious foliage for crunchy salads throughout the seasons.
Scientific Name: Lactuca sativa
Plant Life Cycle: annual
Optimal Germination Temperature: 16C
Germination time in days: 7-10 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 60 days
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil requirement: rich and well drained
Sowing and cultivation: Sow lettuce seeds indoors from February to July for Spring, Summer or Autumn harvest. Sow 3 or 4 seeds in a pot over the top of regular compost, water gently, lightly cover with. Seeds sprout in 7-15 days. Keep soil temperature above 16C. Place in a warm, bright spot, such as a sunny windowsill, and water regularly to keep the compost moist. When the seedlings are large enough to handle and have their first true leaves, transplant into their final growing space. Distance plants by 30 cm apart.
