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

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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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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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