Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Lettuce in Australia - 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

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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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22 Jan 11, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lance, Unless you are able to water Lettuce everyday (twice a day in a pot) during the warmer months then it will bolt. Lettuce is a much happier autumn - spring crop
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22 Jan 11, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Cos are definitely a cool weather variety but otherwise it depends on your climate whether lettuce will grow in the Summer.
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19 Nov 10, Bryan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted several perpetual lettuce but half of them are going to seed less than 2 weeks after we picked our first leaves. I understood with perpetual lettuce that we just harvested the lowest leaves. I assume even perpetual lettuce will seed eventually but is there a way I can prolong the life to more than the few weeks? Thank you
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17 Dec 12, John Allman (Australia - temperate climate)
Less sun
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22 Apr 10, Tara (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted some fancy mixed salad plants in a pot, 2 of the 6 died, but the other 4 look healthy but the leaves feel quite soggy rather than crisp, any reason for this? also when i water them the seem to flop even more and are better the next day. Do i just harvest the outside leaves slowly and will it re-grow?
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16 Apr 10, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
My COS lettuce is booming - growing really thick really quick with lots of leaves. much better than my attempt to grow it in summer, where it shot up had a tall stem, seeded and few leaves.
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08 Apr 10, Keno (Australia - temperate climate)
Like Marcel....My iceberg lettuce doesn't seem to get a firm 'heart' just a bunch of loose leaves. I followed the seed packet and planting instructions.
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02 Apr 10, Marcel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My iceberg lettuce doesn't seem to get a firm 'heart' just a bunch of loose leaves. I followed the seed packet and planting instructions but no joy. my rabbit was happy with the lettuce though. :-) Any hints? I don't need to wrap them like with cellery do I?
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28 Mar 10, Dixie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown a variety of lettuce but they all taste bitter. What can I do or what am I doing wrong?
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Showing 151 - 160 of 196 comments
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I live on Central Coast and grow lettuce through late autumn to late winter. I raise them in seed trays or scatter them in the garden as soon as the last really hot day has gone by and temperatures are no more than 35 degrees c or below. When I put them straight in the garden I scatter seeds over small area and cover with seed raising mix. I keep them moist with a gentle watering can. When 5cm tall I trans-plant them in to another bed. You could also use this method in flat seed raising trays and a spray bottle. By using sugar cane mulch in the ground surrounding the plants (not touching their stems!) I keep them moist. I also water every to every second day as the weather cools down. My suggestions would be scatter lightly oven baked ground eggshells or hair clippings around the plants to deter snails. if they become a problem. Grow with sweet peas and rocket for great salads. The peas will add nitrogen that the leafy greens will enjoy. Choose a loose head variety so you can pick it as it grows and get multiple harvests the size you want. also better suited to Australia. If you want to try planting lettuce now some tips to stop it bolting are to give it PLENTY of shade, keep harvesting it regularly, (about every second day once it gets going) keep moist (planter boxes might work but could be expensive) and pinch off buds that start to form. In my experience even a resistant variety in a nice shady place with lots of water will go to seed/taste bitter early if planted later than August. But I have seen it done. lettuce is a great to grow easy and rewarding but I would suggest waiting until after Summer. I plant lettuces April on, when you plan depends on your climate conditions. Try companion planting basil and tomatoes together while you wait or growing zucchini plants. If you have a meter square garden bed try planting 16 corn plants, 3 pumpkin or zucchini and once corn is 15 cm high planting a bean seed at the base of each corn plant. Beans are also good for nitrogen that both the corn and beans will need. All of the above I recommend planting now if you are getting the feeling it is already summer. I am not sure if what i have written is relevant to more inland areas of NSW but hope it may be helpful. Good luck with your gardening!

- Ferran

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