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 8°C and 27°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm 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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27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Jaime, I had the same problem with those small whitefly and little black bugs on my perpetual lettuce. The thing that worked well for me was the yellow sticky sheets from Green Harvest. I think you can get them in other places as well. Just tie the sheets onto a stick amongst the lettuce, close to the leaf crop and next day the sheet is covered in bugs. It only attracts those nasty bugs as the good bugs don't appear to be affected. Safe and organic. Hope that helps. Like Barb I grow most of my summer lettuce in the shade under a tree or in pots near the back deck. Works well and less likely to bolt. Perpetual Lettuce is also good for summer as it does not bolt.
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15 Apr 11, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted my lettuce into a bed filled with mushroom compost. the lettuce are growing slowly but they have small black bugs all over the leaves that are biting holes into them. What can I do to get rid of the bugs?
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24 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Unfortunately the bolted lettuce leaves will be bitter, but do let some go to flower, because their flowers will encourage good insects into your garden who will help keep pests at bay. Lettuce grows better in the shade at this time of year - or just stick to the red varieties!
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12 Jan 10, Kirsten (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I planted lots of mixed lettuces. They were doing really well but then they all bolted to seed except the red ones. I was wondering whether if I just chop them back they will keep producing leaves or do I have to pull them out and start again?
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02 Nov 09, Bianca (Australia - temperate climate)
My baby butterhead was planted about 2 months ago and they started growing really well, then really slowed down. They are quite yellow now and the leaves are tough. Should I pull them out, or will they recover? It has been quite hot in Perth the last few weeks. I'm not sure whether they haven't had enough water, or whether I've over watered them!
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30 Oct 09, Andris (Australia - temperate climate)
David, you can find May Queen lettuce at either: www.theitaliangardener.com.au which has it as Reggina di Maggio of Franchi Sementi (Italian), or at www.vilmorin.com.au (French). You can order from either of their websites, or they both sell their stock through quite a few retail outlets. Franchi (and other Italian seed companies) you will tend to find in Italian and continental delis, and I know Vilmorin packs are available through Mitre 10 here in SA, but check their website. Both these companies have extremely generous amounts of seed too for lettuce (7,000-10,000 per pack), at around $3.50-$4.30. Check out their other lettuces too like Lolla Rossa, Four seasons wonder and heaps of others.
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12 Sep 09, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Jaime, 100gm chopped garlic head soaked in 2 tsp veg oil for 24 hours. Mix 2 tsp liquid detergent to 1/2 ltr water and mix the lot together and stand for 24 hrs. Drain and label and put in fridge. Add 5ml to 1 ltr water to spray on crop.
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16 Aug 09, Jaime (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Anyone have an organic remedy for aphids on lettuces?
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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..
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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
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Showing 161 - 170 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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