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 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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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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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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24 Jan 15, kazi taurai (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
wat are the recomended control measure on snails
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Showing 111 - 120 of 258 comments
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To increase the levels of Molybdenum (Mo, also called Molly) in your soils -- wood ash (from a fireplace, firepit, or barbeque) can be incorporated into the soil. Alternatively, Banana peels are an excellent source of Moly. Animal manure tends to (grass/grain/vegetable feeders) tend to have a decent amount of Moly in their manure. If all of these are out of reach, perhaps try incorporating wood chips/bark mulch in your garden. You can make bark chip paths, use the paths, then the following year when the chips are broken down mix them into the soil. OR -- just mix the wood chips (bark, mulch, whatever) directly into the soil. As the wood is breaking down it takes a lot of nitrogen. I would expect to find Moly in leaf mulch - but have not found any reliable sources that have stated this as a fact. If you choose to use chemical forms of Moly remember that this is a TRACE element - VERY little is needed and over application can result in a OTHER problems. Staying organic almost guarantees you will not over apply. If you live in an area where wood burning stoves and fireplaces where common for heating (pre- electric fireplaces and stoves) - and you know people old enough to have been around when wood ash was common in the garden (there was no place else to put it) - they can tell you how amazing the gardens where back then.

- Celeste Archer

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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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