Lyla Lindsey
Lettuce is a versatile vegetable that can be grown in Western Australia all year round. It is easy to grow and can be planted in a garden bed or a pot on a patio. Lettuces vary in leaf type, colour, shape, and form, but they all have similar growing conditions and requirements. They are quick-growing and can be harvested as needed. This article will explore the different types of lettuce, the best conditions for growing them, and how to care for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of growing | Easy |
| Climatic suitability | All climates and areas |
| Planting location | Garden beds, containers, pots, vegetable garden beds |
| Soil type | Rich, well-drained, free-draining, nitrogen-rich, pH 6-6.8 |
| Watering | Regular, frequent, especially in hot and/or windy weather |
| Sunlight | Full sun (at least six hours of sunshine a day) or partial shade |
| Sowing | Directly in seedling trays or scatter sown |
| Spacing | 10-20 cm apart |
| Fertiliser | Liquid fertiliser, compost tea, seaweed solution |
| Harvesting | Individual leaves or whole plant |
| Pests | Snails, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs, aphids |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation
Before planting, it is important to prepare the soil by mixing in compost and a small amount of fertiliser. You can use a pelletised manure-based fertiliser or an organic-based option. Work these through the top 10-20cm of soil, followed by mulch, to a depth of about 5-7cm.
If you are using seedling trays, prepare a good-quality seed-raising mix, preferably organic if the lettuce is for consumption. Keep the soil bed firmed and watered, and press the seeds onto the surface. Ensure the seeds remain moist until they germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days.
For direct sowing, create planting holes or scatter the seeds onto the prepared soil surface and cover with a thin layer of soil, approximately 3mm deep. Keep the soil moist until germination.
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Sowing and planting
Lettuce is easy to grow from seeds or seedlings, and you can grow them in pots or garden beds. They can be planted all year round, but they are cool-season plants, so they are best planted in partially shaded spots, especially in areas with hot summers.
Lettuce seeds should be sown 3mm deep into the soil. You can either sow a few seeds directly into each planting hole or scatter a handful of seeds onto your growing medium and cover them slightly. If you are sowing directly, you will need to thin the seedlings as they develop. However, do not waste the seedlings—they can be transplanted or used as microgreens. If you are using seed trays, transplant the seedlings when they are about 3-4cm high. Space the plants 10-20cm apart, depending on the variety.
Before planting, prepare the soil by mixing in compost, nitrogen (e.g. poultry manure), and potash (potassium). The pH should be between 6 and 6.8, but 6.5 is also suitable. Lettuce grows well in any good, well-drained soil, but the soil should retain moisture. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which will take 7-14 days. After germination, keep the seedlings damp but not wet. When transplanting seedlings, water them with Maxicrop or Seasol to reduce shock.
To promote healthy, fast, and tender growth, feed the plants weekly with liquid fertiliser. Seaweed solutions are great for encouraging robust root growth. Mulching with sugarcane or pea straw will also help to keep the soil moist.
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Pest control
Pests are a common problem with lettuce. Snails and slugs are one of the biggest problems for young lettuce seedlings, particularly during damp weather. To protect your lettuce from snails and slugs, you can scatter snail and slug bait around the plants, including new seedlings, which are particularly vulnerable. An environmentally beneficial alternative is to spread coffee grounds around your patch, or set up a beer trap.
Leaf Miner larvae or caterpillars also feed on lettuce leaves. To control them, pick off the infected leaves regularly, cover with an insect net, or spray with dipel.
Other pests that can affect your lettuce include aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and mites. These are sap-sucking insects that can cause lettuce leaves to yellow or distort, and they can also transmit damaging plant viruses. As soon as you notice these pests, spray the plants thoroughly every 5-7 days with an appropriate insecticide.
If you are using agricultural chemicals, always follow the instructions on the label and comply with the directions and any permit conditions.
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Watering
Lettuce has shallow roots and thus needs frequent watering, especially in hot and/or windy weather. Keep the area well mulched and test soil moisture regularly. If the soil is left to dry out, lettuce may run to seed, creating a wasted plant, taste bitter, or die.
Lettuce needs a rich, free-draining soil with regular watering during the warmer months. If you're planting in a pot, use a suitable potting mix. You can also deliver a half-strength seaweed solution at planting time, as this is great for encouraging robust root growth.
When transplanting seedlings, water them in with Maxicrop or Seasol to reduce shock. If you do feel the need to feed, do it fortnightly, at half strength, using a manure/compost tea.
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Harvesting
Head lettuces, such as iceberg, are harvested all at once when they reach an adequate size. For this variety, you remove the whole plant, including its roots.
Loose-leaf lettuces, like butterhead or oakleaf, do not form a tight head, and can be harvested leaf by leaf as needed. These are some of the fastest-growing lettuces. You can also harvest the outer leaves while leaving the central growing tip in place, allowing the lettuce to continue growing.
Cos or romaine lettuces form a heart and can be harvested leaf by leaf, or as a whole head. These lettuces are winter-loving and can be harvested in cooler months.
The timing of your harvest will also depend on the temperature and climate. Lettuce is traditionally a cool-season vegetable, so it is important to plant in cooler weather and harvest quickly to prevent the leaves from becoming tough or bitter. In warmer months, lettuce should be grown in partial shade to protect it from the hottest sun.
To ensure a continuous supply of lettuce, it is recommended to add a new punnet or row of seeds every couple of weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
Lettuce can be grown from seeds or seedlings. Seeds can be sown directly into the ground or into seedling trays and transplanted when they are 3-4cm high.
Lettuce can be grown year-round in Western Australia. However, it is a cool-season plant, so it is better to plant it in partially shaded spots during the warmer months.
Lettuce grows best in rich, free-draining soil with organic matter such as compost and nitrogen. The soil should be kept moist, and the pH should be around 6-6.8.
Lettuce has shallow roots and needs frequent watering, especially during the warmer months. Watering regularly every second day in summer will help prevent the lettuce from becoming tough and bitter.
