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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01 Dec 08, Gerri (Brisbane) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Iceberg letttuce grew fast and look perfect but are not sweet. Any tips on how to grow sweet lettuce (and other veggies) in Brisbane please?
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21 Sep 08, PaulinBrisbane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wondering if anyone can tell me the minimum soil depth Lettuce requires ?
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29 Jul 08, Barbara in Lane Cove (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm growing very happy lettuce in hanging baskets in the middle of my clothes line - it's the best place for winter sun, plus the slugs haven't found their way up there (yet) :-) There's still room for the washing around the outside.
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28 Jul 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I grow lettuce through the winter frosts. They thrive under agri-fleece material, and survive uncovered so long as the ground doesn't freeze. A chinese cos-style lettuce 'Glenda White' that I got from seed savers years ago does particularly well through winter.
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28 Jul 08, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
I am on the Mornington Peninsula area in Vic which often has frosty temps in Winter. I have lettuce growing from June-Aug with no major frost problems, or pests. Bunnings sells organic pest sprays which are okay.
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26 Jul 08, Wayne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can lettuce be grown in a area where frost is common in winter?spring
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09 May 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
In cold months I start seeds under agri-fleece frost protection or in seed trays. I've found that lettuce takes forever to germinate (if ever) when sown directly in frost-exposed ground.
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09 May 08, Don (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i've got lettuces in the open which are growing nicely that were established in February and March. Just wondered if the seed would germinate in the cold ground.
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05 May 08, Charlie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can't grow lettuce in May, surely it is too cold...
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04 May 08, Liz (Unknown climate)
If your lettuce are bolting (going to seed quickly) in Queensland, check how deep the water is penetrating into the soil. It may be drying up too quickly. Have you tried giving the plants some shade in the middle of the day? Also find out which varieties your local plant nursery is selling as seedlings. They may be the varieties that will be successful in your area.
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Showing 241 - 250 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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