When to Plant Lettuce in Canberra — Cold / Highland Guide

Lettuce

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Lettuce is the most commonly grown salad green in Australian home gardens. Available in four main types: crisphead (iceberg), cos/romaine, butterhead, and loose-leaf. It is a cool-season crop that bolts rapidly in heat, making variety selection and planting timing critical. Fast-growing (4-8 weeks to harvest) and adaptable to containers, garden beds, and even part shade.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 6.0°C (optimal range: 5–25°C) ✓ Ready to plant

How to Grow Lettuce in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

October-March. Short but productive season. Start in trays under cover from September.

Soil
Light, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Lettuce has shallow roots and prefers loose, friable soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun in cool seasons. Part shade essential in warm zones and during warm months to delay bolting.
Spacing
25cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Light, frequent watering to keep soil consistently moist. Shallow roots dry out quickly. Morning watering preferred. Drip irrigation or soaker hose ideal. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.

Companion plants: Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Chive, Onion, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Celery (some allelopathic evidence), Parsley (competes for same nutrients)

Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Lettuce

Recommended Varieties

  • Winter Density
  • All Year Round
  • Cos
  • Buttercrunch

Key Challenges

  • Frost kills young plants
  • Short growing season
  • Slow growth in cool temperatures

Pro Tips

  • Start seedlings in greenhouse or cold frame
  • Frost cloth extends season by weeks at both ends
  • Direct sow after last frost for simplicity

Harvesting Lettuce

When ready: Loose-leaf: when leaves are 10-15cm (baby) or 20cm+ (full size). Heading types: when head is firm and full-sized. Cos: when upright head is dense. Harvest before any signs of flower stalk elongation (bolting).

How to harvest: Cut-and-come-again: cut outer leaves at base for loose-leaf types. Whole head: cut at soil level with sharp knife in cool of morning. For cos, can harvest outer leaves or whole head.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $9.62/kg (12-month range: $4.98–$22.50)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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