{"product_id":"lactuca-sativa-lettuce-little-gem-seeds","title":"Cos Lettuce 'Little gem' - 2500 seeds (Lactuca sativa)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:900px;margin:0 auto;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;color:#3a3a3a;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:30px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;margin:10px 0 8px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Gem'\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.4;color:#666;text-align:center;margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003e\n    Compact sweet and crisp cos lettuce with small, dense hearts\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 24px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size:18px;text-align:center;margin:0 0 18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cem\u003eLactuca sativa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Gem' is a compact cos lettuce producing small, dense heads of crisp green leaves surrounding a sweet, crunchy heart. Its naturally dwarf habit makes it particularly useful where space is limited, while the small heads are conveniently sized for individual salads and fresh harvesting.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size:18px;text-align:center;margin:0 0 18px;\"\u003e\n    Quick-growing and productive, 'Little Gem' performs well in vegetable plots, raised beds and containers. Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil and sow small batches regularly rather than one large crop, providing a succession of fresh heads from spring into autumn.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Why You'll Love It\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Small, dense cos lettuce heads with crisp hearts\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Sweet flavour and crunchy texture\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Compact habit ideal for limited growing space\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Excellent for containers and raised beds\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Quick-growing variety ideal for succession sowing\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Ideal For\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Kitchen gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Raised beds\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Patio containers\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Small vegetable plots\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Successional salad crops\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    How to Sow \u0026amp; Grow (UK)\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;font-size:16px;\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eSow indoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e February–March for an early crop\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003ePlant out:\u003c\/strong\u003e March–April, using protection for the earliest crops\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eDirect outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e March–August\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e May–October\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Biennial (grown as an annual vegetable crop)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eGermination temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–18°C (50–64°F)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eAverage germination time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–14 days\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 mm (½ in)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eLight required:\u003c\/strong\u003e No – cover with fine soil or compost\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMoisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil consistently moist, especially during warm and dry weather\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eEnvironment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun; light shade is beneficial during hot summer weather\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–20 cm (6–8 in)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMature height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–20 cm (6–8 in)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Expert Growing Tips\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks rather than the entire packet at once to provide a continuous supply of fresh heads.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Keep the soil consistently moist, as dry conditions combined with high temperatures can trigger premature bolting and make the leaves bitter.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● During hot summer weather, provide light shade and sow during cooler parts of the day, as high temperatures can inhibit lettuce germination.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Thin seedlings promptly so each plant has enough space to develop the compact, dense heart characteristic of 'Little Gem'.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Protect young plants from slugs and snails, particularly during early growth when tender lettuce seedlings are especially vulnerable.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Happy Green Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51641891619154,"sku":"P139 - Lettuce Little gem","price":1.24,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/1896\/9426\/files\/P139.jpg?v=1759322568","url":"https:\/\/happygreenshop.co.uk\/products\/lactuca-sativa-lettuce-little-gem-seeds","provider":"Happy Green Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}