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UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

Lettuce

Garden Help > Vegetables

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A close-up view of different lettuce types, with two heads of reddish-purple lettuce among bright green crinkled lettuce heads.

Lettuce is usually grown as a cool-season crop in Santa Clara County. If grown in the summer, it’s recommended to plant where it will get shade from other crops or trees and to select temperature-tolerant, slow-bolting varieties. Lettuce is a shallow-rooted plant that requires frequent watering when there’s no rain. 

Cultural tips for growing lettuce, UC IPM

Planting

  • Transplant 8 to 10 inches apart in February to April or September to October, possibly May, August or November depending on weather or local conditions.
  • Direct seed 3 to 4 inches apart in March to April or September to October, possibly February, August or November depending on weather or local conditions. Thin to 8 to 10 inches apart. Thinnings can be eaten as salad.
  • Lettuce is best planted in succession or using different varieties that mature at different times.
  • If growing your own seedlings, start the seeds 4 weeks before you want to plant.

Harvesting

  • “Baby” lettuce leaves can be harvested quite early, 30 to 45 days after planting.
  • Leaf lettuce can be harvested as a loose head or over a period of time by breaking off the outer leaves and allowing the inner leaves to continue to develop.
  • Harvest heading types when they are firm, but not hard. Before harvesting the entire head, outside leaves can be harvested regularly to prolong the harvest.
  • Lettuce can also be broadcast and harvested as “cut and come again”, where the leaves are harvested above the growing tip, and the plants are allowed to regrow.
  • If lettuce begins to bolt (send up a flower stalk), the leaves often become unpalatably bitter, especially the ribs. When the sap in the cut leaves is milky instead of clear, it is an indication that the leaves may taste bitter.

Pest management

Pests and disorders of lettuce, UC IPM

More links

Recommended varieties for Santa Clara County*

Heading

Butterhead: Blushed Butter, Buttercrunch, Capitan, Marvel of Four Seasons, Nancy, Red Ridinghood, Rhapsody, Sangria, Tom Thumb, Yugoslavian Red

Crisphead (Batavian): Brune d’Hiver, Canasta, Cardinale, Loma, Nevada, Queen of Crunch, Sierra

Romaine (Cos): Cimarron, Jericho, Little Gem

Looseleaf

 Black-Seeded Simpson, Flame, Merlot, Oakleaf, Prizehead

* Many other varieties may also do well here in Santa Clara County. This list is based on UC Master Gardener trials, taste tests, and feedback from local growers.