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

12 Dec 14, robert helbers (Australia - temperate climate)
When planting lettuce seedlings remove outer leaves and only leave centre of plant. This reduces transplanting stress, you'll notice that the plant revives much faster. the same thing applies to most seedlings like brassicas etc.
19 Nov 14, antonia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I companion planted my lettuce with strawberries/spinach/forage & beans, something is eating the lettuce. Very tiny holes in the leaves, I don't want to use a strong bug killer, what can I do?
22 Jan 15, Gerrit Hendrik Schorel-Hlavka O.W.B. (Australia - temperate climate)
My wife complained about the same problem. I had a proper look and detected some 14 caterpillars. the took the colour of the leaves and so were hard to see. However, I had made a day earlier as picture of it and checking back I could see the caterpillars. I scraped them off (better not touch them) and used surface spray that kills them about instantly. Actually I now discovered different caterpillars at a tree and spaying on them a little bit of surface spray caused them to drop of-dead. Obviously no good say on vegies, so use a little tool to scrape them off. I have placed a netting around the vegie and no further caterpillars. Do keep in mind that removing the caterpillars may be the first step as eggs may have already been on the plant for others and so you need to keep an eye on it for a few days.
13 Nov 14, Belinda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Two weeks ago we planted mixed lettuce seedlings. We notice two days ago we planted two together so we pulled them out, separated and replanted them. The very next day all the replanted lettuce had died off. Will it come back and did we do something wrong. Thanks.
11 Oct 15, Mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Belinda. From the reading I have done its best to sacrifice the weaker looking seedling with a pair of scissors than disturb the root system.
14 Oct 14, Kellie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted some lettuces in a shady spot a couple of weeks ago, most have already gone soft and died, the others seem to be going the same way which is saddening! Any ideas?
29 Oct 14, Genevieve (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Sydney and find that you got to keep the water up to them. Now find that growing mixed lettuces in a tray in semi-shade seems better as their roots aren't deep and they don't wilt. I use the deepest "kitty litter" tray and punch some holes in them and line them with old leaves before proceeding with my soil mix. Use weak solution of seasol once a week on them and and fresh water on other days.
04 Oct 14, Kat (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I just harvest leaves from my mixed lettuces or do I have to uproot them and sow more seed...??
09 Oct 14, Marzi (Australia - temperate climate)
If it is the coral type of lettuce and not iceberg (those with a firm heart) then you can pick the outer leaves and it will keep producing until time to bolt (seed)
11 Sep 14, Peter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My wonderful 80 odd yr old neighbour gave me this tip and works really well. When washing your lettice add salt to the water and snalls ect leave much quicker. Its surprising whats left in the water after doing this.
Showing 121 - 130 of 256 comments

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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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