Lettuce is a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that, with proper planning and a bit of protection, can be enjoyed for most of the year.

Beginning the first week of March, sow lettuce in soil blocks or flats inside a cold frame or other protected spot. Sow another round of seedlings the third week of March, and continue starting seedlings (or direct sowing after mid-April) every two to three weeks all season. This ensures a continuous supply of salad greens. Seedlings can be transplanted to the open garden beginning the second or third week of April, depending on the weather. Lettuce likes a rich soil and even moisture; dry, warm weather can initiate bolting. Consider mulching throughout the summer, and be sure to select varieties that match the season in which you are growing the plant.

Sow lettuce seed about a quarter-inch deep. Plants should be spaced about 6-12 inches apart for full-size heads. You can sow or transplant more closely if you plan on plucking plants at an earlier stage. Some gardeners also choose to sow lettuce thickly and mow down swaths with shears to enjoy the tender young leaves. The lettuce will re-grow after each cutting, though some think that second and third cuttings are less tasty.

All lettuce bolts eventually. To avoid a gap in your supply of salad greens, continue sowing every two or three weeks. Sowings made from August to September will mature slowly from October to April; a cold frame will bring cold-hardy varieties through the winter.