Expert: nick mccann - 4/5/2009

Question
I have read that I need to do successive plantings of lettuce seeds in order to harvest all summer.  Does this mean I need to start seedlings in a separate container from my already growing lettuce plants, or do I plant more seeds in the same container?  Can new seeds germinate when planted very close to already growing plants?  There isn't enough room in the container to plant the new seeds unless their right amidst the more mature lettuce.

Answer
Hi Mary, albeit Lettuce doesn't have a very extensive root system, it is unwise to plant new seeds right next to any plant, they need room to develop their own root system unhindered, and the existing root mass of the original Lettuce plant would hinder that development. You really need to give them a new location/container. Nick