Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Lettuce in USA - Zone 5a 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

15 Feb 16, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like they're having water and heat problems Debbie. Pretty tough to deal with in the Perth heat I imagine. You could always collect the seed and try another crop at a cooler time.
12 Jan 16, Andy (Australia - arid climate)
Yup I think it would be hard to grow in summe, the arid Australia climate zone is probably more accurate. Meaning you could start planting in March but I think more realistically April.
26 Oct 15, john roche (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Chris, I googled Glenda White and found your old post. Best lettuce ever. Is the seed available anywhere now? Best regards John Roche
26 Jun 15, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Just planted lettuce and asking what I need to do so they don't get eaten by bugs and slugs.
08 Oct 15, Peter Levett (Australia - temperate climate)
Gday Pete, I grow heaps of "close to the ground" short marigolds to keep lugs and snails out of the garden, & tall marigolds for higher plants like tomatoes & chillies to deter fruit fly, & a whole punnet of Thai Sweet Basil around each tomato plant . You can give me a call if you would like to on 02 63450027. I live 24 km from Cowra in the Central west NSW. Cheers Pete Levett
21 Mar 15, Rami Ghattas (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in country NSW, Why should I avoid planting lettuce & parsely in the same bed??? I have just did that this morning and now reading this article I am concered? should I dig the one of them out and move it or ?? Thanks in advance for ur help.
15 Feb 16, Dee (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Rami Sometimes plants can stunt the growth of others, starve them of nutrients or attract insects that will devour a crop. I found an interesting article on companion planting on the sgaonline website. Unable to post the link here but if you do a search for the website and 'companion planting' I'm sure you'll find it.
24 Jan 15, kazi taurai (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
wat are the recomended control measure on snails
03 Jan 15, Keren (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Lettuce gets bitter if it's too hot and/or when it bolts. Lettuce is ideal is cool temps, and if grown in hot weather does better in the shade or at least partial shade. Full sun in cool weather is fine. Also, too little water causes butter lettuce. Make sure you are either harvesting the plant all at once, or you pick he outer leaves on a consistent schedule. Picking leaves inconsistently can also cause lettuce to bolt.
30 Dec 14, Luzanne Nell (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have a problem with growing iceberg Lettuce. As soon as it starts making heads it rots within 2 weeks time I have to throw them all away. I have same slugs however I do not think this is the main problem. We have a very high rain falls. Could this cause the lettuce to rot?
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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