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

22 Apr 10, Tara (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted some fancy mixed salad plants in a pot, 2 of the 6 died, but the other 4 look healthy but the leaves feel quite soggy rather than crisp, any reason for this? also when i water them the seem to flop even more and are better the next day. Do i just harvest the outside leaves slowly and will it re-grow?
02 Oct 10, Hannah (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am new to vegetable gardening. I have noticed thousands of red mites running around in the soil around my seedlings. They don't seem to be on the seedlings but I wonder if they may cause a problem. Any idea whether I need to control these mites and, if so, how?
19 Nov 10, Bryan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted several perpetual lettuce but half of them are going to seed less than 2 weeks after we picked our first leaves. I understood with perpetual lettuce that we just harvested the lowest leaves. I assume even perpetual lettuce will seed eventually but is there a way I can prolong the life to more than the few weeks? Thank you
17 Dec 12, John Allman (Australia - temperate climate)
Less sun
04 Dec 10, Lance (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why is my cos lettuce going to seed? there being goin really good and all of sudden bolted and gone to seed
22 Jan 11, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Lance, Unless you are able to water Lettuce everyday (twice a day in a pot) during the warmer months then it will bolt. Lettuce is a much happier autumn - spring crop
22 Jan 11, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Cos are definitely a cool weather variety but otherwise it depends on your climate whether lettuce will grow in the Summer.
29 Jan 14, Latesha (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Ann, I had birds eating my lettuces too, I rigged up some string and silver plastic plates (or cans do) in and around the lettuces, it has a scarecrow affect and keeps the birds away. Be sure it isn't a possum as I have had them eat my lettuce too! Hi Lance, Lettuce has gone to seed as that is their main aim in life. In the summer months it is best to protect the lettuce from the sun and water regularly. Heat and lack of water causes the plant to stress and therefore it seeds as it thinks it might die. Some varieties of lettuce also just have a short life span, so I would suggest choosing varieties such as "four seasons".
25 Jan 11, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
our Cos lettuce is always quite tough and bitter especially if it self seeds. why is this?
27 Jan 11, stella (Australia - temperate climate)
my iceberg lettuce which i planted in december hav got like little seedlings and are not growing any more i do water them regularly but still no improvement is it due to the hot weather??/wat shud i do re plant or wait that it might grow
Showing 51 - 60 of 251 comments

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.

- Liz

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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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