Lettuce is the perfect raised bed crop, fast-growing, compact, and productive over most of the Australian year. It thrives in the cooler months that coincide with Australian autumn, winter, and spring, making it a genuine year-round crop in most climates. Cut-and-come-again varieties deliver weeks of continuous harvest from a single planting.
Plant Spacing
25 cm apart
30 cm between rows
Days to Harvest
45-70 days
Germination: 4-10 days
Sun Needs
Partial shade to full sun, afternoon shade in summer
Water Needs
Regular, keep consistently moist but not waterlogged
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Expected Yield
200-500g per plant (heading); ongoing for cut-and-come-again
Planting times vary significantly across Australia's five climate zones. Find your zone below for the best planting windows.
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Months |
|---|---|
| Tropical (Darwin, Cairns) | April-August (cool season only) |
| Subtropical (Brisbane, Northern NSW) | March-September |
| Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth) | February-May, August-November |
| Cool/Alpine (Canberra, Hobart, high country) | September-April (spring through autumn) |
| Arid (Alice Springs, outback) | March-September |
Not sure of your climate zone? Enter your postcode to get personalised planting advice.
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Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding crops for Australian raised bed gardeners. It prefers cool weather and will bolt (run to seed) quickly in temperatures above 25°C, so timing is everything. In most Australian climates, autumn through spring is the prime lettuce season.
Sow seeds direct into prepared beds at 5mm depth, or transplant seedlings spaced 20-25cm apart for heading varieties. For loose-leaf types grown as cut-and-come-again, broadcast seed more densely and thin to 15cm. Loose-leaf varieties like 'Oak Leaf', 'Cos', and 'Mignonette' are more heat-tolerant than iceberg or butterhead types.
Lettuces grown in raised beds benefit enormously from consistent moisture, the loose, free-draining structure of raised bed mix can dry out faster than in-ground beds. Water at the base rather than overhead to reduce fungal disease risk. Mulch between plants with fine compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
In summer, grow lettuce in the shadow cast by taller crops like trellised cucumbers or tomatoes, partial shade can extend your harvest season by several weeks. Alternatively, use 30-40% shade cloth as a cover during hot spells.
Sow a small patch every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest rather than a large single planting that all matures at once. Feed lightly with a high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser every two weeks to encourage lush, tender leaf growth.
From the makers
Plant Planner calculates how many lettuce plants your family needs, assigns them to the right beds, and generates a personalised planting schedule for your climate zone.
These plants make excellent neighbours for lettuce in your raised beds, they help deter pests, improve pollination, or enhance growing conditions.
Avoid planting lettuce near these crops, they can inhibit each other's growth, attract shared pests, or compete aggressively.
Snails and slugs are the number-one lettuce pest in Australian gardens, use iron-based snail bait (pet-safe) around the bed perimeter.
Aphids can colonise the heart of lettuce heads; wash off with water or remove outer leaves.
Downy mildew appears as yellow patches on upper leaves with grey fuzz beneath in humid conditions, improve airflow and avoid overhead watering.
Tip burn (brown leaf margins) is caused by calcium deficiency or heat stress, not a disease.
For loose-leaf varieties, harvest outer leaves continuously, leaving the growing centre intact. For heading types, harvest the whole head when firm. Harvest in the morning for maximum crispness. Bolting plants (elongated central stem) taste bitter, harvest immediately or compost them.
200-500g per plant (heading); ongoing for cut-and-come-again
Yield depends on variety, growing conditions, and management. These are typical results for well-maintained Australian raised beds.
Plant Planner checks every crop assignment against the full companion database, it knows that Lettuce grows well with Carrot and Radish and warns you about antagonists automatically.
Unlock FreePlant 8-12 plants in succession for a family of 4; succession sow every 3 weeks for continuous supply
These estimates are based on average Australian household consumption. Adjust up if you plan to preserve, freeze, or use heavily; adjust down for occasional use.
Lettuce germinates in 4-10 days and is ready to harvest in 45-70 days. For loose-leaf varieties, harvest outer leaves continuously, leaving the growing centre intact.
Space lettuce plants 25 cm apart, with 30 cm between rows. Correct spacing gives each plant room for airflow and root development and is one of the easiest ways to lift your yield in a raised bed.
Partial shade to full sun, afternoon shade in summer. Regular, keep consistently moist but not waterlogged.
It depends on your climate zone. In temperate areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide) plant lettuce February-May, August-November. Other zones: tropical, April-August (cool season only); subtropical, March-September; cool, September-April (spring through autumn); arid, March-September.
Lettuce grows well alongside Carrot, Radish, Strawberry, Cucumber, Chives, Dill. Keep it away from Celery, Parsley, which can compete with it or attract shared pests.
Plant 8-12 plants in succession for a family of 4; succession sow every 3 weeks for continuous supply
Plant Planner automatically calculates how many lettuce plants your family needs, assigns them to the right beds, and generates a personalised planting schedule for your climate zone.
Calculate how many lettuce plants I needFree for 2 beds · No credit card required