Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	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

05 May 16, janine (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Establishing a new veggie garden in full sun in frosty rural Northern Tablelands NSW. Thinking a wire fence to keep out rabbits, roos etc. Any suggestions for a deciduous climber to grow on the fence running north-south to protect my veggie garden from the western sun in summer but warm it up in winter. Winter nights can get down to -15°C. Thank you.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate): If you grow the loose leaf types you will have better success against frost. I have frost proofed my 2 permanent beds of six different lettuce by growing them in wicking beds and aquaponics as the whole bed keeps itself protected by being a thermal mass during the night absorbing heat from direct sun in the day. Otherwise throw some heavy duty clear plastic over them last thing before the sun goes down and keep your mulch nice and thick. That will help maintain a warmer temperature during the night.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 May 16, janine (Australia - cool/mountain climate): Thanks for sharing these great tips for growing lettuce in frosty conditions ~ janine
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Apr 16, Lagana101 (Australia - temperate climate): I want to know if you can grow lettuce but only look after it about 3 times a week. Would it still be okay and not turn bitter.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 16, Paul (Australia - arid climate): If growing in a raised bed with a timed dripper system, no problem. If growing in a wicking bed even better! Looking at it 3 times a week might take some extra mulch if growing in a normal bed with manual watering but should be still doable.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Apr 16, Louise Manwaring (Australia - temperate climate): Are lettuce susceptible to frost. We live in an area where most days are mild but it can get to -3 in July August
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Mar 16, John Stevens (Australia - temperate climate): I have planted 6 cos lettuce that have grown very tall and thin the have not filled out with leaves can anyone tell me what i did wrong thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Feb 16, Vanya (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate): Will lettuce grow in dappled shade ?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): Yes. In fact, they prefer it.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jan 16, terry lobban (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I HAVE PLANTED SEVERAL TIMES ICEBERG LETTUCE BUT THEY NEVER GROW INTO A BALL THEY JUST FLATTEN OUT.. DO I HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ROUND THEM WHEN THEY ARE JUST PLANTED FOR SUPPORT MAYBE.. HOPE SOME ONE CAN HELP THANKING YOU
Reply or Post a new comment

Showing 101 - 110 of 259 comments

See comments for all plants

Replying to:

Hi Russ - it's all about feeing the soil and creating humus, as small boxes provide limited access to nutrients (even using good quality potting mix) because they get eaten up so quickly by the hungry plants. a worm farm or compost are perfect so you can feed the soil regularly each week as natural fertiliser. also - are the boxes draining from the bottom? when you water, the nutrients run straight out the bottom and the plants cant access them. You can build really simple self watering containers in old broccoli boxes... punch a few holes along a horizontal line, about 1/4 from the bottom of the box. then fill to this line with pebbles or gravel - this creates a water table where water will sit and if too much water is added it spills out through the holes. put the soil on top with lots of compost and worm castings, plant your vegies, and then mulch on top. this system allows the roots to reach water at the bottom, but stops the soil from being water-logged. it also allows you to mulch and build humus within the soil without draining it all away. I even water at the edges of the box so that the water goes straight to the water area without disturbing the humus to stop any nutrients draining away. i hope this makes sense! I read Jackie French's Soil Food Web book which was also really helpful. good luck!

- Catherine

Your name

Where are you?

Email address

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply

Your reply

All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Your comments and tips

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Your comments and tips

Become A Supporter!

Planting Reminders