How to Grow Lettuce

Lettuce is a fast-growing, cool-loving crop that can be harvested nearly year-round with careful planning. There are four main types:

• Cos (Romaine) – tall, crisp leaves (e.g. Little Gem)

• Butterhead – soft, round hearts (e.g. Tom Thumb)

• Crisphead – firm, crunchy types (e.g. Iceberg)

• Loose-leaf / Cut-and-come-again – harvest leaves continually (e.g. Lollo Rosso, Salad Bowl)

🗓️ Month-by-Month Growing Guide (UK)

January

🧤 Plan & Prepare

• Choose varieties for year-round cropping (e.g. Winter Density for early sowing).

• Lettuce likes fertile, well-drained soil in partial sun.

• Prepare a fine seedbed by digging in compost and raking smooth.

• For early indoor sowing, clean trays and gather fleece or cloches.

February

🌱 Early Sowing (Under Cover)

• Sow hardy varieties in trays or modules inside a cold frame or greenhouse.

• Sow thinly on the surface, cover lightly with compost, and keep moist.

• Ideal germination temperature: 10–15°C.

• Harden off seedlings before transplanting later.

March

🌿 First Outdoor Sowing

• Direct sow under fleece or cloches once soil warms slightly.

• Space seeds 1 cm deep, rows 25–30 cm apart.

• Keep soil moist for steady germination.

• Protect from slugs — lettuce seedlings are irresistible!

• Continue sowing in trays for transplanting outdoors in April.

April

🌾 Main Cropping Begins

• Transplant hardened seedlings 25–30 cm apart.

• Sow another batch outdoors for succession.

• Water regularly and thin direct sowings to avoid overcrowding.

• Shade young plants in hot spells to prevent bolting.

• Keep soil fertile with compost mulch or organic feed.

May

☀️ Steady Growth & Succession

• Continue sowing every 2–3 weeks for continuous supply.

• Sow cut-and-come-again varieties for quick harvests.

• Water regularly, especially during dry spells.

• Feed fortnightly with liquid seaweed for lush growth.

• Keep slugs and snails under control.

June

🌿 Peak Growth

• Lettuce grows rapidly in warm weather but can bolt (go to seed) if stressed.

• Water early in the morning to keep roots cool.

• Harvest young, tender leaves frequently.

• Sow heat-tolerant varieties (Salad Bowl, Buttercrunch) for summer crops.

• Thin out crowded plants to improve airflow.

July

🥬 Harvest & Succession

• Harvest hearting types when firm; pick loose-leaf types regularly.

• Re-sow short rows for late summer and early autumn crops.

• Provide shade with fleece or netting during hot spells.

• Water generously in dry weather.

August

🍃 Late Summer Sowings

• Sow hardy autumn types (Winter Density, Arctic King).

• Keep watering consistent for soft, non-bitter leaves.

• Harvest remaining summer lettuces before they bolt.

• Watch for aphids and mildew in humid weather.

September

🌾 Autumn Crops Establishing

• Transplant autumn seedlings outdoors or into cold frames.

• Water well to settle them in.

• Continue harvesting and remove spent plants to compost.

• Add mulch around new crops to conserve moisture and warmth.

October

🍂 Protect & Extend Harvests

• Cover autumn lettuce with cloches or fleece to protect from frost.

• Sow final batches of Winter Gem or Valdor under cover for winter picking.

• Keep weeds down and soil moist.

November

🌱 Overwintering Crops

• Water lightly in mild spells and ventilate cloches on warm days.

• Harvest outer leaves as needed.

• Watch for slugs in damp conditions.

December

❄️ Minimal Growth

• Continue harvesting small amounts from protected crops.

• Prepare beds for next spring — add compost and cover with fleece or plastic to keep soil workable.

• Clean tools and plan next year’s sowing schedule.

🌼 Key Growing Tips

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

• Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained.

• Spacing: 25–30 cm between plants.

• Watering: Keep consistently moist — drought causes bitterness.

• Feeding: Liquid feed every 2 weeks.

• Harvest: 6–12 weeks after sowing, depending on type.

• Protection: Fleece or mesh against slugs, aphids, and birds.

🌤 Tip of the Season

“Sow little and often — small, regular sowings will keep your salads fresh and sweet all year.”