Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
      T T              
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Lettuce in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 81°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-12 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Onions, Strawberries, Beets, Brassicas, Radish, Marigold, Borage, Chervil, Florence fennel, leeks.
  • Avoid growing close to: Parsley, Celery

Your comments and tips

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08 Sep 13, Keith (Australia - temperate climate)
All you need is some seed raising mix put seeds in according to the packet give a good watering and don't water it until you see the seeds coming up about a week and then keep moist keep in a warm place if you can or you an buy a small hot house for raising seeds happy planting
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27 Jul 13, fozzee (Australia - temperate climate)
we found harliquin bug were eating our vegie patch but the lil buggers were very good hiders, spray with confidor
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13 Jul 13, Kyria (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted on numerous times over the last few weeks lettuce seedlings. My issue is that as soon as they sprout something keeps eating them:( I can't see a snail trail so I don't think it's that... What else could it be? And how do I get around it without covering the whole patch up? Thanks!
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22 Jul 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
It could be earwigs. Make a trap with some scrunched-up newspaper in an inverted pot and shake the earwigs out every few days into water and get rid of them. Half an orange peel on the ground is supposed to work as a trap too.
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16 Jul 13, Ray (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I often use soft drink bottles with both tops and bottoms removed to make a tube and push these into the soil around newly sown seeds. Helps funnel water to the seeds and seems to deter crawling creatures that like to dine on newly emerged seedlings. Once the seedlings are a decent size I remove the tubes.
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12 Apr 13, marlene (Australia - temperate climate)
is there any iodine/sodium in ice berg lettuces as Im on a low iodine diet ?
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04 Mar 13, Sheryl (Australia - temperate climate)
Has anyone had success growing Celtuce in South Australia? If so do you have any tips as there doesn't seem to be much information around. Sheryl
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19 Oct 12, Trudy (Australia - temperate climate)
Have tried to grow lettuce a few times from seed and bought plants. I do OK til it gets to summer when I really want them for salads. My vege garden is in full sun but these leafy things seem to suffer in the heat. Today was 34C. Silver beet is (OK?)... but do you think that lettuce would be better grown in a shade house to stop it going limp every day at lunchtime? Thanks Trudy
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13 Apr 13, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Hey Trudy, I am in the temperate zone also and have grown lettuce many ways. I have had some good fortune growing it in shallow pots as the roots don't go deep. Then on the hotter days I can move them to more shaded cooler areas.
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27 Dec 12, Wendy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Bowen Qld., we have lots of warm windy days here. Grow all my leafy green veges in shade house. Works well. Got a good crop now. Pick off them daily.
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I left my cos lettuce to seed last season in our raised garden bed. The new plants are now growing beautifully, but they are all quite bitter. Even the baby plants. They are getting plenty of water, being winter time! Any ideas as to why this may be and what I can do about it?

- Katie

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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