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 Jul 14, sherron hardin (USA - Zone 5a climate)
I planted within the time frame as your chat suggested. My lettuce has gotten bitter as it has grown. I have it in full sun. I don't know if that is the reason but it would seem on the second growing it became a little bitter and gets worse as it grows. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help
29 May 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted some crops (based on your advice) and was wondering what is eating at my dwarf cos lettuce and rocket ? I see no evidence of grubs or snails. Can you please help ?
04 Sep 14, Frances (Australia - temperate climate)
Might be mice/rats. My iceberg seems to be eaten by these. Or do you have rabbits in the area?
23 May 15, Greenthumb (Australia - temperate climate)
When you say your lettuce didn't make it, did it bolt? or not grow at all?, you might need to check your soil PH as lettuce is quite easy to grow....... there is no chance of every starting too big, I wish my vegie garden was double the size. I would check your soil and make sure that you don't under or over water.
04 May 14, Imthiaz Hoosen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi I am assisting a community garden project in Grasmere, South of Johannesburg. Please advise if lettuce can be planted in May. Thank you
10 Oct 16, Roger Chicken (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Imthiaz, just picked up your question today and thought I could provide some clarification, especially as we are in the same area.I Find that lettuce love the cooler months here, and will take some light frost. They tend to "bolt" in the hot summer months and do better in broken shade during this time. If you plant seeds in trays at the beginning of Feb. you can start planting out seedlings in early March and continue through to Oct. / Nov.
06 Mar 14, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
All my latest cos lettuces growth seemed to be stunted. It was a very hot day the day after planting and they looked sick, but 3 weeks on and still very little growth even though they've had a fertilising.
28 Mar 14, janice (Australia - temperate climate)
Maybe try sowing some more seeds now, it was fairly hot earlier in the month. It likes 10-16C.
25 Jan 14, Fran (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've planted a number of lettuce types and all have grown well, and we've had a few meals from them, until we hit a heat wave recently, 7 days of over 35 degree heat. Now, I've just found out that lettuce goes bitter or bolts in the heat, which is what all varieties have done. Is there anything I can do to save it, or should I just feed it to the chooks and try again?
23 Mar 15, Juanita (Australia - tropical climate)
I would save as many seeds out of your bolting lettuce then feed the rest to your chooks as once lettuce has bolted you can't save it, also when you next plant try using 7.5cm thick aged bagasse/ sugar cane mulch keeps your ground temperature cold enough to stop bolting, never use yard clipping and mulch out of your own compost unless you have a thermometer to ensure it has reached over 65 degrees this kills any nasties and stops the risk of disease in plants. Hope this helps
Showing 131 - 140 of 256 comments

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