Little Gem
A compact Cos variety with sweet, crisp hearts. Ideal for small spaces and containers, maturing quickly.
When to plant Lettuce in Oxford
Lactuca sativa
Loose-leaf and hearting lettuce for the UK garden. Sow little and often for salad leaves, or start heading types indoors and plant them out. Give light shade in midsummer, and keep the soil evenly moist so plants do not bolt.
30 cm · Partial Shade · High Water
Calibrated to Oxford · last frost ≈ 24 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Lettuce
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow hearting varieties like Iceberg or Cos for harvesting whole heads.
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
13 Mar to 9 Jul every 2 weeksSow in modules from 13th March - 9th July. Cover with a thin layer of compost so some light can reach the seed. Keep them bright so they do not go leggy. Repeat every 14 days.
02
Prick Out Seedlings
25 May to 1 JunPrick seedlings into individual pots when they have two true leaves, around 25th May - 1st June. Hold them by the leaves, not the stem. Grow them on in a cool, bright spot.
03
Harden Off Plants
8 Jun to 15 JunHarden plants off for 7 to 10 days from 8th June - 15th June. Put them outside by day and bring them in at night until they are used to outdoor weather.
04
Transplant Outdoors
24 Apr to 20 AugPlant out from 24th April - 20th August. Space plants apart, water in well, and protect from slugs.
05
Water and Feed
6 Jul to 29 Oct every 2 weeksKeep the soil evenly moist from 6th July through 29th October. In the ground, plants usually need no feed. In pots, use a balanced liquid feed every 14 days.
06
Harvest Whole Heads
11 Aug to 29 OctCut whole heads once they feel firm, from 11th August. Do not delay once they are ready. Cut at the base in the morning. You can keep harvesting through 11th August - 29th October.
Companion plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Lettuce.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Lettuce to consider
Tom Thumb
A heritage butterhead lettuce dating back to the 1850s. Produces tennis-ball sized heads with soft, buttery leaves and sweet flavour. Perfect for small gardens, raised beds, and containers. Matures quickly in 6-7 weeks. Cold-hardy and excels in spring and autumn plantings.
Lollo Rosso
A loose-leaf lettuce with frilly, red-edged leaves. Excellent for cut-and-come-again harvesting and adds colour to salads.
Iceberg
A crisphead lettuce forming tight, crunchy heads. Requires a longer growing season but stores well after harvesting.
Related plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest June to September. Frost risk October to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest September to February. Frost risk October to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest July to September. Frost risk October to April.
Lettuce guides by town
See how Lettuce timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.