Lettuce is one of the fastest and most rewarding crops in the UK kitchen garden — ready to harvest in as little as 6 weeks, and productive from early spring right through to autumn with the right approach.
Founder & Head Grower, SoilCommander · RHS Level 2 · 12+ years growing in Yorkshire
I’ve been growing vegetables on my Yorkshire allotment and raised beds since 2012. Everything I write is based on what I’ve actually grown, failed at, and eventually got right in a real UK climate.
When to Sow Lettuce in the UK
Lettuce can be sown almost year-round with protection. The RHS recommends successional sowings every 2–3 weeks from February (under cover) through to September for continuous harvests. Avoid sowing in the hottest part of summer (July–August) without shade — heat triggers bolting.
UK Sowing & Harvest Calendar
| Sowing Period | Method | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|
| February – March | Indoors or under cloches | April – May |
| March – June | Outdoors, direct sow or transplant | May – September |
| July – August | Outdoors, shaded — bolt-resistant varieties only | August – October |
| August – September | Under cloches or cold frame | October – November |
Types of Lettuce
Cut-and-come-again
Pick individual leaves as needed; the plant keeps producing. Fastest to harvest and ideal for containers and small spaces.
Soft-headed
Round, soft heads with a buttery texture. Classic UK salad lettuce. Pick whole heads when firm.
Upright, crisp
Tall, upright heads with crisp, sweet leaves. More heat-tolerant than butterhead. Good for summer growing.
Dense head
Tight, crunchy heads. Needs more space and a longer growing season. Best for summer harvests.
Top UK Varieties
- Little Gem — Compact cos type, sweet and crunchy, bolt-resistant, excellent for succession sowing
- Lollo Rossa — Red frilly loose-leaf, decorative and tasty, good heat tolerance
- All Year Round — Reliable butterhead for spring and autumn growing
- Webbs Wonderful — Classic crinkled-leaf variety, good for summer growing
- Winter Density — Hardy cos type for autumn and overwintering under cover
Sowing and Growing
Sow seeds thinly in drills 0.5cm deep, rows 30cm apart, or in modules for transplanting. Thin or transplant to 15cm for loose-leaf types, 30cm for hearting varieties. Keep well-watered — irregular watering accelerates bolting. In hot weather, water in the morning and provide light shade. Pick regularly to slow bolting.
Preventing Bolting
Bolting (running to seed) is triggered by heat, drought, and long days. Prevent it by: sowing bolt-resistant varieties in summer; keeping soil consistently moist; providing afternoon shade in hot weather; harvesting promptly once heads or leaves are ready.
Plan Every Sowing, Every Month
The SoilCommander UK Vegetable Garden Planner includes successional sowing schedules for lettuce and 40+ other crops.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Why is my lettuce bolting?
Bolting is caused by heat, drought, or long days. Choose bolt-resistant varieties for summer, keep soil consistently moist, and harvest promptly once heads are ready.
Can I grow lettuce in pots?
Yes — loose-leaf cut-and-come-again varieties are ideal for containers. Use a pot at least 20cm deep, good compost, and keep well-watered. A container on a shaded patio is perfect for summer lettuce.
When can I start growing lettuce in the UK?
From February under cover, or March outdoors. With successional sowing every 2–3 weeks through to September, you can have fresh lettuce from April to November.
Browse sowing dates for all crops in the UK vegetable planting calendar or explore all UK vegetable growing guides.
Tools That Help With This Crop
Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.