Growing Lettuce: The Perfect Beginner Crop

Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for beginning gardeners. It grows quickly, doesn’t take up much space, and provides fresh greens for salads throughout the growing season.

Why Grow Lettuce?

  • Quick to mature (30-60 days)
  • Perfect for succession planting
  • Thrives in cool weather
  • Great for container growing
  • Nutritious and flavorful when fresh

Types of Lettuce

Leaf Lettuce

  • Examples: ‘Black Seeded Simpson’, ‘Red Sails’
  • Benefits: Cut-and-come-again harvest, heat tolerant
  • Days to maturity: 30-45 days

Head Lettuce (Crisphead)

  • Examples: ‘Iceberg’, ‘Great Lakes’
  • Benefits: Crisp texture, stores well
  • Days to maturity: 70-80 days

Romaine (Cos)

  • Examples: ‘Parris Island’, ‘Little Gem’
  • Benefits: Heat tolerant, excellent for Caesar salads
  • Days to maturity: 60-70 days

Butterhead

  • Examples: ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Boston’
  • Benefits: Tender leaves, sweet flavor
  • Days to maturity: 55-65 days

Planting Guide

Direct Seeding

  • Plant seeds 0.5cm deep
  • Space 15-20cm apart
  • Thin seedlings when 5cm tall
  • Plant every 2 weeks for continuous harvest

Transplanting

  • Start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting
  • Transplant when 10-15cm tall
  • Handle carefully to avoid root damage

Growing Conditions

Temperature

  • Optimal: 15-20°C (60-68°F)
  • Germination: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
  • Bolting occurs: Above 25°C (77°F)

Light Requirements

  • Full sun in cool weather
  • Partial shade in hot weather
  • 4-6 hours minimum sunlight

Soil

  • Well-draining, fertile soil
  • pH 6.0-7.0
  • Rich in organic matter
  • Consistent moisture

Care and Maintenance

Watering

  • Keep soil consistently moist
  • Water at soil level to prevent disease
  • 2.5cm per week
  • Mulch to retain moisture

Fertilizing

  • Light feeder compared to other crops
  • Side-dress with compost every 3 weeks
  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer (causes loose heads)

Succession Planting

  • Plant new crops every 2 weeks
  • Extend season with heat-tolerant varieties
  • Fall planting for winter harvest in mild climates

Pest and Disease Management

Common Pests

  • Aphids: Use insecticidal soap or beneficial insects
  • Slugs: Hand-pick, use beer traps, or diatomaceous earth
  • Cutworms: Use cardboard collars around seedlings

Common Diseases

  • Downy mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering
  • Bottom rot: Ensure good drainage, avoid overwatering

Harvesting

Leaf Lettuce

  • Begin harvesting when leaves are 10-15cm long
  • Cut outer leaves, leave center to continue growing
  • Harvest in morning for best quality

Head Lettuce

  • Harvest when heads feel firm
  • Cut at soil level with sharp knife
  • Best quality before flowering

Storage

  • Wash and dry thoroughly
  • Store in refrigerator in ventilated container
  • Use within 1 week for best quality

Season Extension

Spring

  • Start indoors for earlier harvest
  • Use row covers for frost protection
  • Plant in cold frames

Summer

  • Choose heat-tolerant varieties
  • Provide afternoon shade
  • Keep soil consistently moist

Fall/Winter

  • Plant 10-12 weeks before first frost
  • Use row covers or cold frames
  • Harvest can continue through light frosts

Container Growing

Lettuce is perfect for containers:

  • Container size: 15-20cm deep minimum
  • Spacing: 10-15cm apart in containers
  • Varieties: Leaf lettuce works best
  • Care: More frequent watering needed

Companion Planting

Good Companions

  • Carrots: Don’t compete for space
  • Radishes: Quick harvest, loosens soil
  • Onions/Garlic: Natural pest deterrents
  • Herbs: Maximize space usage

Avoid

  • Large plants: That create too much shade
  • Brassicas: Competition for nutrients

Lettuce is truly the gateway crop for many gardeners. Its quick growth and easy care make it perfect for building confidence while providing delicious, fresh greens for your table!