Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Mar	Apr	May	Jun
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

30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate): If you grow the loose leaf types you will have better success against frost. I have frost proofed my 2 permanent beds of six different lettuce by growing them in wicking beds and aquaponics as the whole bed keeps itself protected by being a thermal mass during the night absorbing heat from direct sun in the day. Otherwise throw some heavy duty clear plastic over them last thing before the sun goes down and keep your mulch nice and thick. That will help maintain a warmer temperature during the night.
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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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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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Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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