Since the height of its popularity in a 1990s caesar salad, the cos (like the iceberg) has experienced a sharp decline and is only now making its resurgence. Texture is its main attribute and, like butterhead, it is without the bitterness that can turn off some salad eaters.
PLANTING
Sow seeds directly to the patch if conditions are mild/warm, otherwise propagate in a seed tray and then transplant to the patch when seedlings are 4 weeks old. Make sure to keep watering up to both seeds and seedlings – always in the morning – as young leafy greens are delicate to both the sun and snails/slugs.
WATERING
In ground: Water daily for the first 4 weeks and 3-4 times a week in the absence of rainfall thereafter. More frequent watering may be required during the warmer times of the year.
In Pots: Water daily while establishing and for the entirety of the warm season, otherwise every second day – after they are 4 weeks old – if growing during the cooler times of the year.
MAINTENANCE
Add compost to the patch and plant seeds directly into the soil.
All leafy greens will appreciate a fortnightly application of liquid seaweed solution.
Thin seedlings so that remaining plants have the room to mature and then mulch to a depth of 3–5cm with pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane mulch. Lettuce are sweet and desired by a number of night-time critters, including snails and slugs, so set up adequate defences.
Leaf-by-leaf harvesting is encouraged for a perpetual harvest. Take more mature outer leaves and work your way in, leaving enough foliage on each plant to properly reproduce.
Continue in the same fashion until the plant bolts to seed.
HARVESTING
Time until first harvest: About 10 weeks
How to harvest: Leaf-by-leaf harvesting is encouraged for a perpetual harvest. Take more mature outer leaves and work your way in, leaving enough foliage on each plant to properly reproduce.
TIP
If you notice your lettuce bolting to seed, pick off the flower heads to redirect energy back to more productive foliage growth. Cos will begin to spiral skywards from the main stem and quickly turn bitter. It’s best to catch the seedling early and redirect the energy back to foliage production, but the key is to pick leaves often to keep them young and fresh.
