A little closer to the garden. A little further from the hurry. Free field notes
old farmingWITH ARTHUR HALE
Plant helpFree field kitA garden walk
← Back to the plant shelfA cooler kind of crop

Lettuce.

Lactuca sativa

There is more than one way to grow a bowl of leaves.

Growing rhythm
Cool-season crop
A place to begin
A bed or suitable container
Make a note for this plant +
THE LITTLE PLANT SHELF / 04
01

Begin

Choose a leaf or heading variety suited to your space. Time sowing for your local cooler growing conditions.

02

Care

Follow variety spacing and monitor moisture. Heat can change quality and encourage bolting.

03

Harvest

Use the harvest method for your type. Leaf lettuce and whole heads are not handled in exactly the same way.

Keep a useful note close.

Before you water, look a little closer. →
Read a little further

University of Maryland · Growing lettuce ↗

General guidance. Follow crop, variety and local conditions. Updated 3 November 2026.