Growing Lettuce at the Allotment

There’s nothing quite like the taste of freshly picked, crisp lettuce leaves in a summer salad. Growing lettuce in the UK is simple, space-efficient, and ideal for beginners. It comes in a wide range of varieties and can be grown in containers, raised beds, or directly in your garden soil.

Whether you prefer loose-leaf types or dense, crunchy hearts, there’s a lettuce for every taste. Even if you only have a sunny patio or windowsill, you can still grow lettuce successfully with minimal effort.

Being rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium, iron, and magnesium, makes lettuce a nutritional powerhouse.

Read on to learn how to grow lettuce in the UK and get practical tips for sowing, caring, and harvesting it throughout the season. And don’t forget to join our community of growers for support and advice.

How to Grow Lettuce 

Lettuce seeds are easily available at your local nursery or gardening store; however, it is advisable to buy only fresh seeds and immediately sow them.

Choosing Your Lettuce Variety

You’ll find no shortage of choice when growing lettuce. Here are some popular varieties suited to UK conditions:

• Hollywood – Medium-sized iceberg with dense, round heads
  
  
• Little Gem – Compact, sweet hearts are ideal for container growing
  
  
• Lobjoits Green Cos – A standout romaine (cos) variety
  
  
• Lollo Rosa – Red, frilly heirloom leaves
  
  
• Navara – Deep red leaves with great texture
  
  
• Winter Density – Cold-hardy and ideal for autumn sowing
  
  

Loose-leaf lettuces are perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting, while hearting types offer firm heads and crunch.

When to Plant Lettuce

So, when to plant lettuce? Sow seeds indoors from February or directly outdoors from March, then continue sowing every two weeks until August. This staggered approach ensures a continuous harvest from April to September.

For winter and early spring crops, sow in autumn and protect seedlings with cloches, fleece, or by growing them indoors.

If planting in summer, sow in the evening when it’s cooler to reduce the risk of bolting (premature flowering).

Sowing & Growing Tips

• Sow in part-sunny, part-shady spots
  
  
• Use moisture-retentive, non-acidic soil enriched with compost or organic matter
  
  
• Lettuce prefers cooler roots, so mulching helps
  
  
• If sowing indoors, harden off for 2 weeks before planting outside from April
  
  
• Thin seedlings if necessary - some varieties tolerate close spacing
  
  

Growing lettuce in the UK often means navigating temperature swings. Hot weather and uneven watering can cause bitter leaves or brown tips. Water early in the morning or evening, avoiding midday heat.

Keep the soil weed-free and free from stones, which can restrict root growth. Larger varieties should be spaced about 1ft apart.

Pest Protection & Companion Planting

• Slugs are the top threat, so protect your plants using barriers, traps, or slug-resistant placements
  
  
• Aphids can be washed off with a light water spray
  
  
• Avoid overwatering to reduce rot and mildew
  
  

Lettuce makes a great companion plant for crops like sweetcorn or parsnips. See our Companion Planting guide for more tips.

You can also grow lettuce in containers or pots that are ideal for patios and balconies. Just make sure that your pots are deep enough and don’t dry out too quickly.