I grew lettuce in my 'crack garden' using advice from Monty Don

Monty Don says you can grow plants in the cracks of your patio so I tried it with lettuce (Image credit: Future)

Inspired by Monty Don’s tips for softening hard landscaping, I decided to try turning my block paving into a mini edible garden.

With nothing but a few gaps in the patio, some compost and lettuce seeds, I followed his steps for planting into cracks.

But after a few weeks of my new garden design trend I noticed changes but it didn't go exactly as I expected.

Prepping the area

Weeds being removed from block paving — *The area needed to be de-weeded before anything could be planted* (Image credit: Future)

The first thing that was needed was to prep the area that was chosen and remove everything growing in the cracks.

Monty Don advised: “Use a pressure hose to wash away algae, moss and weeds, then brush sharp sand into the joints.”

I followed this and removed the weeds from the block paving and worked sand into the bottom of the cracks, which helps with drainage.

Then it was time to plant the seeds as Monty advised: “You’re going to have to take action… mix the seeds you want to use with compost and push them into the gaps.”

I did this and then gave them a good watering and then waited for the results.

Lettuce seeds being planted into block paving — *Mixing the seeds with compost before planting is crucial* (Image credit: Future)

Initial sprouting

Lettuce shoots growing out of block paving — *Sprouting could be seen in as little as two weeks* (Image credit: Future)

I was amazed that after just two to three weeks and regular watering like Monty recommended and initial sprouting started to form.

Then after four to five weeks the lettuce went from strength to strength. The roots did expand beyond what I initially imagined so more compost had to be put between the cracks but the lettuce was definitely growing.

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After four to five weeks the lettuce grew to a substantial size

How big did they get?

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Full grown lettuce growing in block paving — (Image credit: Future)

After ten to eleven weeks the lettuce had grown to their maximum size

The final results were something I couldn't believe would ever grow outside the back of my house in garden paving.

Full-grown lettuces had formed! The roots had grown so big they started to protrude from the cracks.

After eleven weeks the lettuces had grown showing that the block paving didn't inhibit their normal growing schedule.

Taste test

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A lettuce stem that has just been washed — (Image credit: Future)

The only thing left was to try the lettuce and see if it tasted as good as it looked.

As with anything grown in the garden, a thorough washing was needed.

But amazingly, the lettuce actually tasted like lettuce. Normal lettuce. I wasn't sure what to expect, maybe that there would be a block paving aftertaste, but no, they were perfectly normal.

I'm now going to be experimenting with more plants in my block paving and see if Monty's advice will work wonders there as well.

News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.