Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S S S S S S S S S S S
T T T T T T T T T T T T
P P P P P P P P P P P P

(Best months for growing Lettuce in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

01 Dec 08, Gerri (Brisbane) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Iceberg letttuce grew fast and look perfect but are not sweet. Any tips on how to grow sweet lettuce (and other veggies) in Brisbane please?
14 Jan 09, sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am having trouble with growing my lettuce ,they r in the shade and get loys of water including thrive but they r dying can anyone help. cheers sam am in brisbane
05 Feb 09, sharon matthews (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Gerri...ive heard that lettuce needs to be grown fast for it to be sweet. Lots of nitrogen rich organic liquid fertiliser.
07 Feb 09, georgie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
virtually every seedling lettuce I put in wilted and died within a week or so. what sort of conditions do they like??mine were in sun with enriched soil
10 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Georgie, Sounds like your lettuce maybe getting too much sun. I grow mine in filtered sun/semi shade in summer and they cope much better.
29 Mar 09, Bill Gibbo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tried 3 or 4 different types of lettuce seedlings and also grown them from seed - all have the same problem going straight to seed without hearting, they are watered by bore sprinkler every day and in full sun. Any ideas?
01 Apr 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Bill: Lettuce going straight to seed usually happens when it's too hot or dry (cabbage & silver beet tend too as well). As you water daily I am guessing that the lettuce are getting too much sun, have you tried shading them from afternoon sun? I have some lettuce growing in the shade of my tomato forest (planted a little close together this year). The lettuce get maybe 2 hours direct sun first thing, then shaded for the rest of the day, and they are doing really well.
07 Apr 09, Claudie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi again What's the best way to grow lettuce? Plant the actual seeds or grow the seeds in cotton wool until seedlings then transfer? :)
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!
24 Mar 19, paul (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When the root temperature of lettuce gets to 23 degrees the plant bolts - goes to seed. The plant does this as a survival mechanism. Something like, "Ouch, it's too hot! Quick, produce seeds before I die so my offspring will have a chance to grow in the future". That's lettuce. True also of coriander. Mulching the ground will help. Shadecloth will help. Taller/established plants nearby casting shadow is arguably best - see permaculture for design tips.
Showing 11 - 20 of 192 comments

Hi Karen, I recently bought Butter lettuce seeds from my local Bunnings! And have had great crops right through winter, just direct sew into garden and pick young leaves to thin them out. I'm in Perth. Regards Nicole

- Nicole

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