UK sowing calendar
When to sow lettuce in the UK
Lettuce sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | Feb-Apr |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Mar-Sep |
| Harvest | May-Nov |
Sow under cover from February for an early start, then direct outdoors Mar-Sep (protect early/late sowings with a cloche). Hot, dry UK summers trigger bolting and bitterness, so keep well-watered and lightly shaded; loose-leaf types pick in 4-6 weeks, hearting types 10-14 weeks.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for lettuce.
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When to sow lettuce in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow lettuce in the UK?
Sow lettuce under cover Feb-Apr, then outdoors mar-sep. Sow under cover from February for an early start, then direct outdoors Mar-Sep (protect early/late sowings with a cloche). Hot, dry UK summers trigger bolting and bitterness, so keep well-watered and lightly shaded; loose-leaf types pick in 4-6 weeks, hearting types 10-14 weeks.
Can you sow lettuce outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant lettuce outdoors mar-sep. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is lettuce ready to harvest in the UK?
Lettuce is typically harvested May-Nov in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow lettuce?
It depends on the month and your region. Lettuce has a UK outdoor window of mar-sep; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.