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 8°C and 27°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm 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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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...??
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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)
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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.
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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
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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 ?
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Showing 131 - 140 of 259 comments
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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

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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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