Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Lettuce in Australia - sub-tropical 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
16 Aug 09, Jaime (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Anyone have an organic remedy for aphids on lettuces?
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jul 09, brian (Australia - tropical climate)
i live on the tropic of capricorn line,,what type of lettuce would do the best in this area.. i was thinking of haveing a rised garden as the soil here is quite clayey..behind my shed (LARGE) is my choice as it get afternoon shade there..
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jun 09, valerie tasmania (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
nothing better than a great looking lettuce from the home garden.fresh clean and tasty to plant the best plants ,water and watch them devolep
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jun 09, SWAY (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
at school we are makeing a vegie garden and where planting lettuce . we think the best way to plant lettuce os to collect boxes and milk containers and plant the seeds in them
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Anyone know where I can get May Queen lettuce seeds in Australia???
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jun 09, sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
claudie, i plant lettuce seed directly into the ground, (quite shallow) with a scattering of seed raising mix below and above them. Just thin them out when they've grown a little. I plant them quite close because we eat mostly young leaves (continuous picking). I plant in dappled light, under trees........they are surviving frosts at the moment. Have fun planting!
Reply or Post a new comment
14 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Claudie: I find a shallow tray works best (go to the supermarket and get a packet of 4 finger buns the plastic container is ideal) fill with soil, moisten, put the tray back together, put on the HWS check after 3 days. plant out when the second set of leaves appear. Keep moist!! Michelle: Sounds like your lettuce is going to seed. This happens when it is too hot and/or too dry. Jarred: choose cold climate veges! probably too late now for most things in canberra. You could try some peas and lettuce, get some frost blanket/fleece to put over them if it is going to frost o/nite.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 09, Jarred (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi, are there any tips for growing vegies in general in canberra? im a first time grower too.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 09, Tony R (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I use the root part that often comes with supermarket lettuces. After we've eaten the bought lettuce, I just bung the root (with a leaf or two remaining) into the soil. Some don't take but most do. Free lettuces!
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Apr 09, Michelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, My lettuce seem not be hearting, but growing straight up like little trees. Is this right? First time vegie gardener!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 221 - 230 of 259 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi Russ - it's all about feeing the soil and creating humus, as small boxes provide limited access to nutrients (even using good quality potting mix) because they get eaten up so quickly by the hungry plants. a worm farm or compost are perfect so you can feed the soil regularly each week as natural fertiliser. also - are the boxes draining from the bottom? when you water, the nutrients run straight out the bottom and the plants cant access them. You can build really simple self watering containers in old broccoli boxes... punch a few holes along a horizontal line, about 1/4 from the bottom of the box. then fill to this line with pebbles or gravel - this creates a water table where water will sit and if too much water is added it spills out through the holes. put the soil on top with lots of compost and worm castings, plant your vegies, and then mulch on top. this system allows the roots to reach water at the bottom, but stops the soil from being water-logged. it also allows you to mulch and build humus within the soil without draining it all away. I even water at the edges of the box so that the water goes straight to the water area without disturbing the humus to stop any nutrients draining away. i hope this makes sense! I read Jackie French's Soil Food Web book which was also really helpful. good luck!

- Catherine

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.