First make sure they are not hybrid varieties
Go to the library and see ifthey have a copy of Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth. It will explain for those and many more.

No need to worry about saving carrot seeds this year because carrots are biennial. They will only grow roots and leaves this year, and wonÂt flower and set seed until 2006. The lettuce, however, will bolt to seed in no time at all this season as soon as the weather warms up, LOL.

I too recommend the book, Seed to Seed. ItÂs packed with just the kind of info youÂre looking for. If you decide to buy it, be sure to get the second edition.

-- BC --

Where are the seeds found on the lettuce, not to sound stupid :P
So I will have to buy new carrot seeds next year and there is no chance of saving any this year? I guess I never knew they were bienniel!

Where are the seeds found on the lettuce --

What stage is your lettuce at now? I'm guessing it hasn't started to bolt yet, because when lettuce goes to seed it should become very obvious where the seeds will be found, LOL. There is a link below to a photo of lettuce plants in bloom.

You will have to harvest seed daily from each plant because the seeds donÂt all ripen at once.

If you are growing head lettuce instead of leaf lettuce, you may have to help the flower stalk out of the head by cutting a slit in the top of the head.

All this information and more is found in Suzanne AshworthÂs book. If you seriously want to get into saving seeds from a variety of heirloom veggies, you really, really need that book.

-- BC --

Here is a link that might be useful: Lactuca sativa, garden lettuce, setting seed