Lettuce (Crisphead) Growing Guide Lactuca sativa Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Most soil types, but best in moisture retentive soil with rich compost dug in. Position Sun to partial afternoon shade. Frost tolerant No. Feeding Drench plants with a mix-with-water plant food once a month. Spacing Single Plants: 9" (25cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Start seeds indoors in early spring. Set plant out at proper spacing while soil is still cool. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Notes Harvest head lettuce before the plants begin to elongate, because they lose their delicate flavor as they prepare to produce flowers and seeds. Harvesting Pull up entire plants and use a sharp knife to lop off the roots. Always harvest in the morning, when the leaves are cool and full of moisture. Troubleshooting Use a cloth shade cover if needed to keep plants cool during periods of hot weather. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Lettuce (Crisphead) Aphids (General) Cutworm Leaf Miner Slug Snail Plant Diseases which Affect Lettuce (Crisphead) Cucumber Mosaic Virus Lettuce Downy Mildew Lettuce Leaf Drop Lettuce Mosaic Virus