May Queen - Lettuce

This ancient, hardy, fast-growing variety produces wavy, light-green leaves tinged with reddish-brown, forming a tight-core head.

What are the characteristics of Queen of May lettuce?

Reine de Mai lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is a very old French spring head lettuce. This early, medium-sized variety has wavy, green leaves tinged with red. Suitable for early spring planting, it grows quickly in humus-rich soil. In the kitchen, this lettuce is a must for its freshness. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach.

When to sow Queen of May lettuce?

The ideal sowing period is from February to May in pots under cover, and from March to June in the garden. Spring head lettuce is harvested from April to September.

Seedlings should be sown one month before planting in the vegetable garden, at a temperature of between 10 and 18°C. Cover the lettuce seeds with a light layer of soil and keep the substrate moist. Transplant into the garden, 30 cm apart in all directions, once the plants have reached the stage of 4 true leaves.

Sowing directly in the ground makes lettuce more resistant and less susceptible to going to seed. Choose humus-rich soil and half-shade exposure. As the seeds are very small, take care not to sow too densely (mixing with radish seeds, for example). Sow lightly every 15 days to stagger harvesting.

What companion plants should I grow with Queen of May lettuce?

This lettuce grows well with radishes, cucumbers, carrots, onions, cabbage, beet and strawberries. Choose, for example, these companion plants for lettuce: Aubervilliers Summer and Autumn Savoy cabbage, bush cucumber...

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