When to plant lettuce?
The salad on this page is lettuce: sow little and often, outdoors from late March to late July, and from August to October if the variety is for cold weather. In the south the short cycle allows more successions, but several days above 30 °C send the plant to seed.
When, by region
| North | Centre | South | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer and autumn | Outdoors from late March to late July, if the soil can be worked. Indoors in early February, planted out in early March under cloches. | The same window. Umbria's guide does not fix a month: soil and heat decide. | In Campania the short cycle allows repeated planting through the year. In Sicily, several days above 30 °C send it to seed: in summer, sow in light shade or wait. |
| Winter and spring | Early August for an early-winter crop, with cloches from late September. Winter varieties in September or October, in a greenhouse or, in mild spots, under cloches. | As in the north. | The same autumn sowings. Growth stops below 5 °C, and at -2 °C the plant is damaged. |
RHS windows for a cool climate. In the south, 30 °C and nights under 5 °C are what count.
Late March to late July, the early-February start with planting out in early March under cloches, early August, and September–October, are from the RHS. Campania writes that the short cycle allows repeated transplanting through the year. Growth at 10–20 °C, the stop below 5 °C, damage at -2 °C, and bolting after several days above 30 °C, are from Sicily. The months are in the March calendar, July, August and September, and the wider picture is the planting calendar.
Little and often
Sow thinly, about 1 cm (½ in) deep, in rows 30 cm (1 ft) apart, and repeat a short row every fortnight. The RHS says so, so the whole row is not ready on the same day. In a hot spell some seed will not germinate: sow in the evening, water with cold water and give a little shade.
Indoors, sow in modules and move the plants once they have a few leaves, after hardening them off. The method is in starting seeds indoors. In spring, and in cold areas, a cloche or fleece helps them take.
Spacing and pots
The RHS keeps hearting lettuces about 30 cm (1 ft) apart and loose-leaf types about 15 cm (6 in) apart. Too close, hearting types do not form a heart. In Sicily, except for cut-and-come-again lettuces, plants should not be closer than 25 cm, under cover or in the open ground. In Campania the suggested density runs from 8 to 14 plants per square metre, depending on the type.
A pot at least 30 cm wide and deep holds them, in the sun. In summer, light shade in the middle of the day keeps them longer. Compost on a balcony dries out fast: see the container garden.
Water, and bolting
Water in the morning, steadily. Drought, with hot dry weather, sends them to flower and the leaves turn bitter. The RHS advises against evening watering: overnight damp draws slugs and encourages grey mould. How much is in watering.
Loose-leaf plants are picked once the leaves are about 10 cm (4 in) long, leaving the stump so they sprout again. Hearting types are cut once the heart is firm. In Sicily, growth is happiest between 10 and 20 °C, depending on the variety and the season. Carrot with onion is a traditional pairing next door: what is documented is in companion planting, and carrot months are in when to plant carrots.
In the app
Every plant in the catalogue has its own sowing calendar, and weather alerts for your area help you judge whether to sow now or hold off.
Frequently asked questions
Are salad leaves and lettuce the same thing here?
On this page, yes: it is lettuce, hearting or loose-leaf. Rocket, chicory and radicchio have windows of their own.
Can I sow lettuce in January?
Not outdoors. The RHS starts indoors in early February, for planting out in early March under cloches. Open ground starts from late March, if the soil can be worked.
Why does it turn bitter in summer?
It bolts. In Sicily, several days above 30 °C are enough, especially in strong light. Sow in light shade, water steadily and sow again.
How far apart, including in a pot?
The RHS: about 30 cm for hearting types, about 15 cm for loose-leaf. In Sicily, except for cut-and-come-again, not under 25 cm. A pot at least 30 cm wide and deep is enough.
Can I sow in autumn too?
Yes. Early August for an early-winter crop, with cover from late September. Winter varieties are sown in September or October, in a greenhouse or, in mild spots, under cloches.