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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
01 Nov 23, Madison (USA - Zone 9b climate)
How much water does Lettuce need when hardening off???
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Nov 23, (USA - Zone 3a climate)
Keep soil moist but not soggy wet. A light watering each day. Even twice a day.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Oct 23, Getz (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I just planted lettuce, after few days some leaves come out but the day after disappeared! I notice lots of little lizards, do the lizards could eat my lettuce? Cheers Getz
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Nov 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check for birds also.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Oct 23, Jordan (USA - Zone 9b climate)
ive tried growing lettuce (romaine mostly) in spring here in california central valley, it does not like it at all. bolts every time. trying again in winter right now, will update.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Feb 24, Daniel (USA - Zone 9a climate)
red leaf lettuce does better in the cooler months than does green leaf lettuce. I usually plant my green leaf & red leaf in late March on my south-facing patio so the frost cannot get to it. the red leaf will usually bot first in May or early June but my green leaf will go until it gets really hot in July or August.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Oct 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You grow different kinds of lettuce in the cooler months to the hotter months.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Oct 23, lukas (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is the best size for a letuce seedling to be planted out in the garden.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Nov 23, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When they have 6-8 new leaves. Keep them protected from the sun for a couple of days. Plant in the late afternoon.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 May 23, Kim Shallcross (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can it get too hot in May for lettuce, mine seems to have turned bitter and is bolting
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 258 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.