Garden Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Family: Asteraceae · Genus: Lactuca
Lettuce is an annual plant of the aster family, most often grown as a leaf vegetable. It is easily cultivated and does well in cool climates with adequate moisture.
Soil Temperature
8°C – 27°C
Spacing
20 – 30 cm
Harvest
8–12 weeks
Sowing
Easy to grow. Sow in garden, or start in seed trays and plant out in 4-6 weeks.
Growing Schedule Zone 8b
Companions
Avoid Growing Near
Growing Notes
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
Wash well, spin or shake dry and use in salads and sandwiches.