A garden without fresh lettuce of your own is only half a garden. You can either direct sow butterhead lettuce and other garden lettuces or start them indoors. In spring, starting them indoors works best. In summer, direct sowing is the better option because the plants develop much longer roots, which gives them better access to water and makes them less likely to bolt — that is, go to flower and turn bitter.
Butterhead lettuce is a type of garden lettuce. Its heavily compressed stem forms the round head, as the leaves grow tightly packed together.
Facts and figures
Planting & harvest times of Butterhead lettuce
SummerDirect sowing from Late March to Mid September. Transplant to bed from Late March to Mid September. Pre-grow about 30 days before transplanting, approximately between Late February and Mid August. After a growing period of 50 days, harvest can begin around Late May and continues until Mid October.
WinterDirect sowing from Mid September to Mid September. Transplant to bed from Early October to Mid October. Pre-grow about 30 days before transplanting, approximately between Early September and Mid September. After a growing period of 210 days, harvest can begin around Mid April and continues until Late April next year.
GreenhouseDirect sowing from Late February to Late March. Transplant to bed from Late February to Mid April. Pre-grow about 30 days before transplanting, approximately between Late January and Mid March. After a growing period of 50 days, harvest can begin around Mid March and continues until Late May.
Sow and plant Butterhead lettuce
From around the end of March you can direct sow butterhead lettuce into the bed in most regions. In spring, though, starting indoors is a better idea — you can begin a month earlier, from the end of February. That way you can plant out the first lettuces in early April. Make sure to harden them off first, meaning you gradually get them used to the sun and outdoor temperatures by placing them outside for a little longer each day over several days. When planting out, set the lettuce slightly higher than it sat in its pot, otherwise it can rot from the base.
Location and soil
Pick a sunny spot, or one with partial shade in midsummer. In spring and autumn, full sun is preferable. Butterhead lettuce is fairly undemanding and grows well in most soils, as long as they’re not too acidic. Good watering matters, but it can’t cope with waterlogged soil.
Good and bad companions of Butterhead lettuce
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
- Practical tip for this pair
- Practical tip for this pair
- Practical tip for this pair
Predecessors and successors of Butterhead lettuce
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Varieties
When choosing varieties, pay attention to what the description says. Some are only suited to spring growing, others to summer. And some work for both spring and summer. A few varieties are suitable for overwintering. In summer, other types of garden lettuce might be a better choice, especially when it gets really hot. Batavia and romaine lettuces, for example, handle summer heat much better.
Care and fertilising
Keep your lettuce consistently moist but not wet. If it gets too dry, the leaves turn tough and the plant may bolt, turning bitter.
Lettuce doesn’t need fertiliser. A bit of compost worked into the bed in spring or autumn does no harm. Avoid planting it in heavily fertilised beds, as lettuce can accumulate nitrates.
Diseases and pests
Harvest and processing
Once the lettuce looks good, you can go ahead and harvest it.
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