Sow indoors
February – March
Sow direct
March – September
Plant out
—
Harvest
April – November
Days to maturity
45–65 days
Position
Partial shade
Frost sensitive
No
Min soil temp
4°C
Sowing and planting calendar
| Method | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under cover (winter/early spring) | January | March | In a cold frame, greenhouse, or polytunnel. Use hardy varieties. |
| Outdoors (main season) | March | August | Every 2–3 weeks for succession. Shade from July onwards to prevent bolting. |
| Autumn sowing (under cover) | August | September | For October–December harvest. Use winter-hardy varieties. |
Regional variation: Lettuce prefers cool conditions. In hot summers, it bolts rapidly — sow in light shade during July and August, or use heat-resistant varieties.
Growing tips
Sow little and often
A whole packet of lettuce sown at once gives a glut that bolts before you can eat it. Sow a small row every 2–3 weeks and you'll have fresh leaves from April through to November.
Cut-and-come-again harvesting
Loose-leaf and oak leaf varieties regrow after cutting. Harvest outer leaves or cut the whole plant to 2–3cm above the ground and it will regrow, giving multiple harvests from a single sowing.
Shade in summer to prevent bolting
High temperatures trigger bolting. Sow summer crops in partial shade, use heat-resistant varieties, and harvest promptly once heads are full.
Common problems
Slugs and snails
The number one lettuce pest — can destroy a whole row overnight, especially in wet weather.
Fix: Grow in raised beds with grit barriers. Use copper tape around containers. Beer traps are effective.
Bolting
Plants run to seed prematurely, producing a bitter central stem.
Fix: Sow in cool conditions, provide shade in summer, water consistently, and harvest promptly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow lettuce year-round?
Use cold frames or an unheated greenhouse in winter with hardy varieties. Outdoor sowings from March to August, under cover from September. With the right timing you can have fresh leaves every month.
Why is my lettuce bitter?
Bitterness usually means the plant has bolted or is under stress. Harvest while still young. Water consistently and provide shade in hot weather.
Related guides
Keep track of your salad sowings
Add each lettuce sowing to a bed and Vercro keeps them apart, so Today shows the jobs that matter for each one and the Record keeps what you picked.
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