Holly's Homestead — Leafy Green
Lettuce
Lactuca sativa · Daisy family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, direct sown or seedling
MATURITY 30–60 days
TYPE Annual, direct sown or seedling
MATURITY 30–60 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent, light
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Spacing
20–30cm
Depth
0.5cm
01Succession sowing
A small, continuous sowing every couple of weeks beats one big planting — lettuce bolts quickly in heat, so little and often keeps a steady supply.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow or transplant seedlings; sow shallow, seed needs light to germinate.
Soil
Loose, moisture-retentive, high organic matter.
Timing
Sow year-round in mild zones; avoid peak summer heat, which triggers bolting.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Keep soil consistently moist — lettuce turns bitter under water stress.
- Provide light afternoon shade in hot weather.
- Harvest outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again supply.
- Succession sow every 2 weeks.
04Problems
- Bolting — heat stress; grow in cooler months or with shade.
- Slugs and snails — shred young leaves; use barriers or hand-pick.
- Aphids — cluster in the heart; hose off.
- Tip burn — calcium deficiency from irregular watering; keep moisture even.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Leaves reach usable size — pick outer leaves anytime, or the whole head once formed.
Method
Cut at the base, or pick outer leaves individually.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge crisper, up to a week.
Preserving
See Freezing Produce (blanching and freezing a glut) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
CarrotRadishStrawberryCucumberAvoid nearby
Broccoli (heavy shade)Rotation note
Fast-growing filler crop; rotate loosely with other families.
