Monty Don has shared his essential lettuce planting tips for gardeners looking to get ahead and secure a bumper autumn harvest13:58, 18 Jul 2026If you've still got some space in your garden after planting summer seeds, Monty Don wants you to fill it with one specific vegetable.‌The gardening guru is encouraging people to get ahead of schedule this time, and start planting rewarding autumn crops to optimise results.‌For that, Monty's top recommendation as a perfect starting point is a reliable crop that stays productive well into autumn, and the most essential of all veggies. As he once said, "you can make a salad from all kinds of things, but if you only have lettuce, then you always have a salad."‌He notes that now is the best time to plant lettuce for quick germination, allowing you to harvest your crop in just six to eight weeks. But you'll have the best chances at a full harvest by following his guidance.Monty's advice is to avoid planting directly to the ground, where the young sprouts would fall easy victims to pests like slugs and snails. Instead, he says to start seeds in plug trays to shield the fragile emerging seedlings.Next, wait until they are sufficiently mature - usually by August - before planting them out, spacing them about 9 inches (22 cm) apart. If you've recently planted and harvested broad beans or peas - even better. Just use the spaces left behind by them, says Monty.‌The expert reinforces the importance of proper spacing, pointing out that overcrowding seedlings stops their growth. He says not to go about planting randomly, sprinkling seeds around, "but thin out and support each plant to grow strong."His 9-inches of space method will enable the young plants to "become really vigorous," and give them space to establish a far more robust root system.‌Plus, if you started your seedlings in a shaded spot, Monty recommends to not expose them to the intense midday sun right away. You should, instead, harden them off outdoors for a while first, then plant in the late afternoon. This way, they'll develop and get used to the new light before facing the worst of the heat.He also provides specific guidance regarding watering. Monty emphasises keeping the soil consistently moist, as this prevents plants from drying out and bolting prematurely.‌In warm regions, he recommends sowing in shaded spots and covering the soil with newspaper to help maintain stable temperatures during germination.Then, when autumn arrives, Monty says you'll ideally have a wonderful harvest of what he considers the most essential vegetable.A final tip is to avoid stressing over the heat, as it isn't the main obstacle in July-August gardening.Article continues belowInstead, pay attention to the quickly shortening daylight hours, and avoid planting a large batch all at once. It is more useful, he says, to maintain a small, continuous supply.