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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10 May 16, janine (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thanks for sharing these great tips for growing lettuce in frosty conditions ~ janine
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26 Apr 16, Lagana101 (Australia - temperate climate)
I want to know if you can grow lettuce but only look after it about 3 times a week. Would it still be okay and not turn bitter.
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30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
If growing in a raised bed with a timed dripper system, no problem. If growing in a wicking bed even better! Looking at it 3 times a week might take some extra mulch if growing in a normal bed with manual watering but should be still doable.
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22 Apr 16, Louise Manwaring (Australia - temperate climate)
Are lettuce susceptible to frost. We live in an area where most days are mild but it can get to -3 in July August
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21 Mar 16, John Stevens (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted 6 cos lettuce that have grown very tall and thin the have not filled out with leaves can anyone tell me what i did wrong thanks
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11 Jan 16, terry lobban (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I HAVE PLANTED SEVERAL TIMES ICEBERG LETTUCE BUT THEY NEVER GROW INTO A BALL THEY JUST FLATTEN OUT.. DO I HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ROUND THEM WHEN THEY ARE JUST PLANTED FOR SUPPORT MAYBE.. HOPE SOME ONE CAN HELP THANKING YOU
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13 Feb 16, Matt (Australia - temperate climate)
A certain something is added to the fertilizer while iceberg lettuce are growing to achieve this round firm head.
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19 Feb 16, terry lobban (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
thanks matt what is the something that's added to the lettuce starch maybe
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09 Jan 16, debbie (Australia - temperate climate)
I planned lots of lettuce (cos and ornamental/frilly? Red and green) early December and rhry have all bolted or not grown much. It is hot here in Perth. I tried snipping off outer leaves early but they were very bitter. Am i wasting my time growing lettuce in summer in Perth? Thank you. Debbie
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15 Feb 16, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like they're having water and heat problems Debbie. Pretty tough to deal with in the Perth heat I imagine. You could always collect the seed and try another crop at a cooler time.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 195 comments
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Most clear plastic is considered direct sunlight - unless there are special filters in the plastic. That is to say, if the only thing between your lettuce and the sun is regular clear plastic, you should be fine. As and FYI there are multiple categories: 1. Direct sunlight - some plants require direct sunlight on their leaves 2. BRIGHT shade; for example when I lived in a Condo, my balcony had no direct sunlight, but because the buildings beside my building had huge glass windows I had VERY bright shade and could grow most full sun potted plants. This also applies to living near the water, where the sun gets reflected-- MOST full sun plants are fine with REFLECTED light but not all. This could also be a a very sunny field, with shade cast from one building, chances are good that would be very bright shade 3. Sun/Shade with all its variations 4. Light shade and 5. Deep shade like the middle of a dense forest. I see no reason why you could not grow SOME of your veggies in the bright shade. I find that many plants labelled full sun, are not. For example: strawberries are generally labelled full sun. However, strawberries TEND to grow naturally in the shade of other plants: woodland or forest floor, in meadows shaded by other plants. I've noticed that any of my strawberries that get full sun tend to have burnt leaves, and the best yielding strawberry plants are in a cool predominately shady areas. I suspect that planting your plants that tend to bolt in a cooler shadier area would be very helpful. I've even grown cherry tomatoes in very bright shade with great success.

- Celeste Archer

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