Lettuce (Leaf) Growing Guide

Lactuca sativa

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Most soil types, but ideally moisture-retentive and enriched with compost.

Position

Sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Tolerates light frost, but needs protection from hard freezes.

Feeding

Not usually required.

Spacing

Single Plants: 3" (10cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 3" (10cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start seeds indoors in early spring, or simply sow fresh seeds where you want them to grow. Scatter seeds atop prepared soil, about one-half inch apart, and barely cover them before patting them into place. Sow more seeds in summer for a fall crop.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

As lettuce seedlings grow, thin them so that the leaves of adjoining plants do not overlap. Mulch open space between plants to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

Harvesting

You can pick individual leaves, use scissor or a knife to harvest handfuls of baby lettuce, or grow plants at proper spacing to get large, loose heads.