Your comments and tips

11 Apr 11, Donna (Australia - temperate climate)

I planted cos a couple of weeks ago and they have sprouted successfully, however, because I planted several seeds in each hole - they have sprouted in bunches. Rather than pull any out and lose them, is it possible to wait until they get to a certain size and then transplant them to a different area of my garden (as if they were a seedling). And if so, at what stage can I do that (ie. when they are how many centimetres tall)?

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24 Apr 11, Michael Ouellette (Australia - arid climate)

About 5 cm or larger. Smaller & they are too hard to seperate. I do it al the time.

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18 Mar 11, Sarah (Australia - temperate climate)

I want to plant some lettuce in my new garden beds but am not sure what is the best type to plant this time of year?

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04 Jun 17, Mitch (Australia - temperate climate)

I live on the central coast too and have been planting lettuce seeds and baby plants i bought from bunnings and have had no luck with them , im at the point of giving up any advise would be good..

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01 Feb 11, Tara (Australia - temperate climate)

I am wanting to plant some lettuce but not sure of the best spot and what type is best to plant in summer? should i bother? we will be getting some hot days coming up so am i wasting my time? any tips for growing in hot weather?

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16 Feb 11, Kt (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Tara, the planting guide says you can plant lettuce in the garden now but how well it does may depend on where you are located and how hot your weather will be. I had a similar dilemma because I live in SW Qld and we have really hot long summers. I tried sowing some seeds in January but they didn't germinate and I read in a gardening book that they will not germinate in temps over 28 degrees. The same book also mentioned that it is possible to germinate lettuces in the fridge so that is what I have done :-D. I now have cute little lettuce seedlings almost ready to plant into the garden (2 loose leaf varieties) and after a couple of cooler days in the last week I have found some of my previous lettuces have self seeded and I have more plants coming up in the garden! I guess i will find out if they survive or not! The biggest danger in the hot temps is that the plants may go to seed quickly meaning less lettuce to eat. If planting lettuces this time of year it is important to give them plenty of shade and lots of water on the hot days. If the plants still go to seed quickly it may be just too hot for them and you can learn for next year. As far as which varieties to choose you should avoid heading lettuces like icebergs because I have heard you won't get a good head on them if it is too hot. I am not an expert - I have only been growing veg for about a year - but you should consider doing what I did and buy some mixed lettuce seedlings from your nearest garden shop and keeping the seeds from the varieties you like the best! Alternatively if any of your friends grow their own you can ask them for a taste or any spare seeds. If you already have some seeds you can always give them a try and see what works best!! If there are any more experienced gardeners out there feel free to correct me if I am wrong!

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27 Jan 11, stella (Australia - temperate climate)

my iceberg lettuce which i planted in december hav got like little seedlings and are not growing any more i do water them regularly but still no improvement is it due to the hot weather??/wat shud i do re plant or wait that it might grow

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25 Jan 11, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)

our Cos lettuce is always quite tough and bitter especially if it self seeds. why is this?

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04 Dec 10, Lance (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Why is my cos lettuce going to seed? there being goin really good and all of sudden bolted and gone to seed

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29 Jan 14, Latesha (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Ann, I had birds eating my lettuces too, I rigged up some string and silver plastic plates (or cans do) in and around the lettuces, it has a scarecrow affect and keeps the birds away. Be sure it isn't a possum as I have had them eat my lettuce too! Hi Lance, Lettuce has gone to seed as that is their main aim in life. In the summer months it is best to protect the lettuce from the sun and water regularly. Heat and lack of water causes the plant to stress and therefore it seeds as it thinks it might die. Some varieties of lettuce also just have a short life span, so I would suggest choosing varieties such as "four seasons".

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