Lettuces that go missing ?????

[newbie]

Hi can anyone help,

Earlier this year i planted lettuce seeds and only one seemed to grow and then it disappeared,

I then went onto purchase lettuce plugs and they to have disappeared in a week ???

what could be happening, could this be slugs ??

I had ample lettuces last year and this year nothing ,please help :-)

Also is it too late in the year to try again , and what can i do to stop them disappearing.

Many thanks

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Newbie! Welcome to our forum!

My money would be on slugs as well. You could grow the lettuce in containers with vaseline smeared around the outside so that the slugs slip off or with copper wire wrapped around which gives them an electric shock. Cut the bottom off plastic bottles and cover each lettuce seedling with a bottle for protection. You could cut the top off as well but smear vaseline around the top of the bottles to stop the slugs getting in. Also beer traps work great.

There are varieties of lettuce especially for growing over the autumn and winter. Here's a link to one.

Dobies: Lettuce Winter Gem (Vaila) Seeds: A 'Little Gem' variety for winter growing - at last!