Growing Lettuce

lactuca sativa : Asteraceae / the daisy family

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

(Best months for growing Lettuce in South Africa - Semi-arid 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
  • Lettuce table-ready
  • Lettuce seedlings

Lettuce offer a range of shapes, sizes and colours but they are all easy to grow.

Choose a variety marked on the seed packet as suitable for the time of year as some do badly in the very hot months.

Try to provide some shade to prevent them 'bolting' to flower and seed in the hottest months.

Sow in rows and use thinnings as small salad greens.

Ideal crop for succession planting.

Lettuce are shallow rooted so water daily in hot or dry weather to prevent bitter flavour. and bolting.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Lettuce

Wash well, spin or shake dry and use in salads and sandwiches

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
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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30 Dec 14, Luzanne Nell (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have a problem with growing iceberg Lettuce. As soon as it starts making heads it rots within 2 weeks time I have to throw them all away. I have same slugs however I do not think this is the main problem. We have a very high rain falls. Could this cause the lettuce to rot?
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24 Jan 15, kazi taurai (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
wat are the recomended control measure on snails
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28 Feb 16, Vanya (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Will lettuce grow in dappled shade ?
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17 Mar 16, Bee-Pie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Yes. In fact, they prefer it.
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13 May 16, Avril (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Why does my lettuce produce new leaves on top but the bottom leaves turn yellow and wilts? Looks like it is growing well, since new leave appear all the time, but the bottom leaves then wilts... What should I do, or what am I doing wrong?
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02 Oct 16, May (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Your lettuce is probably getting too much sun or its too dry... try putting them in a more shady spot and watering plenty?
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12 Jan 17, mark Hutton (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
i have just reaped lettuce from my veg garden today. i live in the merrivale area of kzn. it is very hot in somer and garden is north facing. produced a 1.209 kg plant with its roots. difficult to do at this time of year. used madumbi sustainable agriculture products and watered down compost. 100% organic no residues.
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04 Mar 17, Bev Ayson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My lettuce are growing well except The round head is not forming. I have taken a piece of cotton and tied all the outer leaves lightly together and now I see the inside is forming nicely. What am I doing wrong.
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How much water does Lettuce need when hardening off???

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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. Gardenate 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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