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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03 May 08, Don (Unknown climate)
Should we start lettuces off with plastic bottle covers in the winter here in Canberra?
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03 May 08, Richard Wood (Unknown climate)
Could you please let me know how much water a lettuce needs to stop it going to seed. I have planted several types over the past six months, but they either don,t grow very well or just go to seed.The soil has plenty of fertiliser and the wife turns on the micro sprinkler system each day for around 10 mins.The soil seems damp and i also use sugar cane mulch to stop the soil from drying out, I live in Queensland and the sun is on the lettuce best part of the day at the moment i have cos growing (for about six weeks) and one is just going to seed (feed that to the chooks) and the others look like they might be.The runner beans are doing very well and i have had some great spring onions as well, any help on this would be great.
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02 Apr 08, Abbie (Unknown climate)
Beer traps work well with snails and slugs - just cut a panel out of the side of a lidded yoghurt/margerine/sour cream plastic container, and as long as you leave an inch or so lip on the bottom of the cut out panel, you can fill the tub to the hole with beer, and put the lid on to keep the rainwater out. Check it every day or so - it can get quite full of slugs and snails so it will need to be regularly emptied and topped up - slugs and snails don't care what beer you give them - I found collecting the leftover dregs from BBQ's/parties to be the cheapest option, otherwise cheap beer is fine.
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01 Apr 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Kellie, lettuce grow best in full sun, but cope with partial shade. Just make sure they have plenty of water and never dry out, otherwise they get bitter and tough, and rapidly go to seed.
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27 Mar 08, Kellie (Unknown climate)
What is the best position for growing lettuce. Ie: full sun, shade etc.
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13 Feb 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
If it's snails or slugs eating the lettuce, then culling them by hand on a damp evening can eliminate the problem for a few weeks - enough to let the plants get ahead.
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18 Jan 08, Jane Falzon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi some thing is eating my lettuce i have put snail bat down but that has't helped and i dont really want to use spray on them can you help
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03 Jan 12, Tim McGrath (Australia - temperate climate)
probably sparrows, bird net may help.
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Showing 251 - 258 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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