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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoors (main season) | March | August | Every 2–3 weeks for succession. |
| Autumn sowing (under cover) | August | September | Winter-hardy varieties for October–December harvest. |
Regional variation: Ireland's mild, damp summers suit lettuce well and bolting is rarely the issue it is elsewhere — slugs are the bigger threat given the consistently moist ground.
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 in Ireland?
Outdoor sowings from March to August, under cover from September. Ireland's mild climate makes near-year-round cropping realistic with the right varieties.
Why is my lettuce bitter?
Usually a sign the plant has bolted or is stressed. Harvest while young and water consistently.
What's the biggest pest for lettuce in Ireland?
Slugs, by far — Ireland's damp ground suits them perfectly. Raised beds with grit barriers and copper tape help considerably.
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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