Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Lettuce in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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

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.
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.
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.
26 Jul 08, Wayne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can lettuce be grown in a area where frost is common in winter?spring
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.
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.
05 May 08, Charlie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can't grow lettuce in May, surely it is too cold...
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.
03 May 08, Don (Unknown climate)
Should we start lettuces off with plastic bottle covers in the winter here in Canberra?
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.
Showing 241 - 250 of 256 comments

Hi, I planted lots of mixed lettuces. They were doing really well but then they all bolted to seed except the red ones. I was wondering whether if I just chop them back they will keep producing leaves or do I have to pull them out and start again?

- Kirsten

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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. GardenGrow 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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