Easy-to-grow crops: lettuce

A must-have for any summer garden is lettuce – grow your own and you can forget about soggy supermarket lettuce heads that go limp in the fridge after too much transportation and storage. Fresh, crispy homegrown salads are just a seed away. Lettuces are one of the great luxuries of summer salads. Choose the right variety and you will be harvesting in as little as four weeks. Lettuce thrives in those shady spots in your summer garden with no fuss or fanfare. While certain varieties will bolt in warm weather, below are our tried-and-true summer performers.  

Cos lettuce A great staple lettuce for all seasons, cos is easy to grow and versatile. For a quicker harvest, pick outer leaves gradually and enjoy as loose-leaf lettuce. If you’re after the same cos lettuce you buy at greengrocers, leave the plant to mature into a tight head. For smaller spaces, you might like to try Little Gem, which is a mini version of cos lettuce. 

Australian Yellow Leaf This non-heading Australian heirloom is one of our garden staples with its stunning soft, frilly, lime-yellow leaves.

All Year Round As its name indicates, this is a lettuce for all seasons and climates. It has become a mainstay in our garden for its deliciously soft buttery leaves that are sweet and crisp. Pick as a loose-leaf lettuce or leave to form a soft head.

Jian Liu’s full article with more tips for easy-to-grow summer crops appeared in our Early Summer 2024 issue (OG 153). Subscribe to the magazine and get practical solutions delivered to your door!

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Lettuce