Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow — fast-growing, space-efficient, and perfect for every type of garden. With a few simple techniques, you can enjoy fresh, crispy lettuce year-round, whether you plant in pots, raised beds, or directly in the soil.

Why grow your own lettuce?

Homegrown lettuce is fresher, more flavorful, and pesticide-free. It’s also cost-effective and allows you to harvest exactly when you need it. By staggering your planting times and choosing the right varieties for each season, you can maintain a constant supply of leaves for salads and sandwiches throughout the year.

Best lettuce varieties for continuous harvest

• Loose-leaf varieties: Produce tender leaves that can be harvested gradually. Great for pots and small gardens.
• Romaine lettuce: Forms upright heads with crisp texture, ideal for summer planting.
• Butterhead types: Soft, sweet, and compact, perfect for cooler months.

Explore seed options in the lettuce category to find varieties that suit your growing conditions.

How to plant lettuce

Lettuce grows best in fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Mix compost before planting to ensure strong growth. In warm climates, partial shade helps prevent bolting (premature flowering).

• Spacing: Sow seeds 20–25 cm apart or closer for cut-and-come-again harvesting.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist; dryness causes bitterness and tough leaves.
• Temperature: Ideal range is 10°C–20°C. Use shade cloth in hot weather and row covers in cooler months.

Harvesting tips

You can harvest lettuce in two main ways:

• Cut-and-come-again: Trim outer leaves regularly to allow the plant to continue producing.
• Full head harvest: Cut the entire head at the base once it reaches full size. New shoots may sprout if roots remain intact.

Harvest in the early morning for maximum crispness and flavor.

Year-round lettuce strategy

• Succession planting: Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks for a constant harvest.
• Rotate growing locations: Alternate pots or beds to prevent soil fatigue.
• Use protection: In cold weather, grow under tunnels or indoors near a sunny window.
• Compost feeding: Apply diluted compost tea every 3–4 weeks to replenish nutrients naturally.

Common problems and solutions

• Bolting (flowering early): Caused by heat or drought. Provide shade and keep soil moist.
• Slugs and snails: Use organic barriers like crushed eggshells or copper tape around pots.
• Yellowing leaves: Indicates nutrient deficiency — add compost or balanced fertilizer.

For soil enrichment tips, check our article on how to make your own homemade compost to keep your lettuce thriving all year long.