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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
16 Aug 09, Jaime (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Anyone have an organic remedy for aphids on lettuces?
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Jul 09, brian (Australia - tropical climate)
i live on the tropic of capricorn line,,what type of lettuce would do the best in this area.. i was thinking of haveing a rised garden as the soil here is quite clayey..behind my shed (LARGE) is my choice as it get afternoon shade there..
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jun 09, valerie tasmania (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
nothing better than a great looking lettuce from the home garden.fresh clean and tasty to plant the best plants ,water and watch them devolep
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jun 09, SWAY (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
at school we are makeing a vegie garden and where planting lettuce . we think the best way to plant lettuce os to collect boxes and milk containers and plant the seeds in them
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Anyone know where I can get May Queen lettuce seeds in Australia???
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Jun 09, sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
claudie, i plant lettuce seed directly into the ground, (quite shallow) with a scattering of seed raising mix below and above them. Just thin them out when they've grown a little. I plant them quite close because we eat mostly young leaves (continuous picking). I plant in dappled light, under trees........they are surviving frosts at the moment. Have fun planting!
Reply or Post a new comment
14 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Claudie: I find a shallow tray works best (go to the supermarket and get a packet of 4 finger buns the plastic container is ideal) fill with soil, moisten, put the tray back together, put on the HWS check after 3 days. plant out when the second set of leaves appear. Keep moist!! Michelle: Sounds like your lettuce is going to seed. This happens when it is too hot and/or too dry. Jarred: choose cold climate veges! probably too late now for most things in canberra. You could try some peas and lettuce, get some frost blanket/fleece to put over them if it is going to frost o/nite.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 May 09, Jarred (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi, are there any tips for growing vegies in general in canberra? im a first time grower too.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 09, Tony R (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I use the root part that often comes with supermarket lettuces. After we've eaten the bought lettuce, I just bung the root (with a leaf or two remaining) into the soil. Some don't take but most do. Free lettuces!
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Apr 09, Michelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, My lettuce seem not be hearting, but growing straight up like little trees. Is this right? First time vegie gardener!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 221 - 230 of 259 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi Tara, the planting guide says you can plant lettuce in the garden now but how well it does may depend on where you are located and how hot your weather will be. I had a similar dilemma because I live in SW Qld and we have really hot long summers. I tried sowing some seeds in January but they didn't germinate and I read in a gardening book that they will not germinate in temps over 28 degrees. The same book also mentioned that it is possible to germinate lettuces in the fridge so that is what I have done :-D. I now have cute little lettuce seedlings almost ready to plant into the garden (2 loose leaf varieties) and after a couple of cooler days in the last week I have found some of my previous lettuces have self seeded and I have more plants coming up in the garden! I guess i will find out if they survive or not! The biggest danger in the hot temps is that the plants may go to seed quickly meaning less lettuce to eat. If planting lettuces this time of year it is important to give them plenty of shade and lots of water on the hot days. If the plants still go to seed quickly it may be just too hot for them and you can learn for next year. As far as which varieties to choose you should avoid heading lettuces like icebergs because I have heard you won't get a good head on them if it is too hot. I am not an expert - I have only been growing veg for about a year - but you should consider doing what I did and buy some mixed lettuce seedlings from your nearest garden shop and keeping the seeds from the varieties you like the best! Alternatively if any of your friends grow their own you can ask them for a taste or any spare seeds. If you already have some seeds you can always give them a try and see what works best!! If there are any more experienced gardeners out there feel free to correct me if I am wrong!

- Kt

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


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

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.