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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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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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!

- Kt

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