Lactuca sativa Arctic King
This cultivar has been bred for autumn sowing and has exceptional cold resistance so is a great option for overwintering. The light green leaves are slightly crinkled, smooth and crunchy. Sow August to October, harvest March to May.
0.1-0.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
Grow in full sun in moisture-retentive soil. Soil should be reasonably fertile so you can improve soil by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, in the autumn. Lettuces grow best on soil that is close to neutral so if you have very acidic or alkaline soil you may want to consider raised beds, containers or improving the pH of your soil. Water when the soil is dry and if the winter is particularly harsh a cloche will help with better growth. Harvest from March unttil May. See lettuce cultivation for more information.
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
No pruning required
May be susceptible to grey moulds and lettuce downy mildew. Lettuce mosaic virus can affect overwintering crops.