🥬
Lettuce, Little Gem Growing Guide
Asteraceae family — Little Gem varietal
Companion Planting
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Early Vegetative
- Late Vegetative / Harvest Ready
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 13 | May 4 | Apr 27 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 13 | May 4 | Apr 27 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 3 | Apr 24 | Apr 17 | May 29 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 13 | May 4 | Apr 27 | Jun 8 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 10 | May 1 | Apr 24 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 3 | Apr 24 | Apr 17 | May 29 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 24 | Apr 14 | Apr 7 | May 19 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 10 | Apr 3 | May 15 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 17 | Apr 7 | Mar 31 | May 12 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 17 | Apr 7 | Mar 31 | May 12 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 17 | Apr 7 | Mar 31 | May 12 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 4 | Mar 25 | Mar 18 | Apr 29 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 4 | Mar 25 | Mar 18 | Apr 29 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Mar 13 | Apr 24 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 22 | Mar 15 | Mar 8 | Apr 19 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 8 | Mar 1 | Feb 22 | Apr 5 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 6 | Feb 27 | Feb 20 | Apr 3 |
| Zone 9b | Jan 27 | Feb 17 | Feb 10 | Mar 24 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 9 | Jan 30 | Jan 23 | Mar 6 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Dec 31 | Feb 11 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Dec 31 | Feb 11 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 25 | Dec 18 | Jan 29 |
| Zone 12a | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Jan 15 |
| Zone 12b | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Jan 15 |
| Zone 13a | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Jan 15 |
| Zone 13b | Nov 20 | Dec 11 | Dec 4 | Jan 15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lettuce, Little Gem?
Lettuce, Little Gem takes approximately 50 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Lettuce, Little Gem need?
Lettuce, Little Gem requires part sun / part shade.
How far apart should I plant Lettuce, Little Gem?
Plant Lettuce, Little Gem at 4/sqft (6" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Lettuce, Little Gem survive frost?
Lettuce, Little Gem is tolerant of light frost.
What are good companion plants for Lettuce, Little Gem?
Good companion plants for Lettuce, Little Gem include Strawberries, Carrots, Beets, Cucumbers, Radishes.
How long does Lettuce, Little Gem take to germinate?
Lettuce, Little Gem seeds germinate in 4-10 days at an optimal temperature of 65°F.
When should I start Lettuce, Little Gem seeds indoors?
Start Lettuce, Little Gem seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant -3 weeks after last frost.
Growing Tips
- Quick to mature at 50 days; excellent for succession sowing
- Compact size makes it ideal for intensive planting
- Bolt-resistant for a romaine type
Common Pests & Diseases
- Aphids
- Slugs
- Downy mildew
Harvest Notes
Cut whole heads at the base when firm and compact. Perfect size for halving and grilling or serving as individual salad portions.
Plan Your Lettuce, Little Gem Garden
Track Lettuce, Little Gem from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
Start Free Learn More
