Lettuce is a cool weather crop, though it won't hurt to start in decent heat, but definitely keep it cool if possible. Once lettuce is going it can handle light frosts... mine did anyway. If it were me (and I'm a beginner too), I'd start them in early august and let them grow like crazy until they're mature and hopefully the temps will be good enough to keep them from bolting. Oh, get a slow-to-bolt kind.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure

Thanks. I read your blog - nice pics. I was thinking of doing sq ft gardening next summer but I have all of these containers! I also need to work more on my xeriscape garden so we will see.....I have to come up with a system to fence it in on all sides b/c of critters so a raised bed might be the answer.

So it sounds like your stuff is bolting at 83 degrees....I will have to look up my area's average temps for late summer and early fall. I have the space master spinach as well and it sounds like I should plant it around the same time as the lettuce.

I'm new to lettuce also. If you have slugs, I'd think containers would be great, that is, if the containers are kept out-of-reach of the slimies.

My short experience w/'little gem' is that

1. it does not like full sun in hot weather
2. it bolts in high heat (hot, humid, 90sF) even when immature
3. it needs lots of water (for fast growth, which I read is key to getting tasty lettuce)
4. I wasn't impressed with its bland taste (before it bolted). I love romaine lettuce, but 'little gem' didn't have the typical sweet taste of a good romaine, and after the outer leaves are removed, you're left with a tiny head. However, the bland taste could be due to my inexperience w/growing lettuce.

I'm switching to Swiss chard, kales, and other tasty and nutritious greens that need light cooking (for tummy safety), less water for growing and rinsing, can stand the heat, are not loved by slugs, are cut-and-come-again, and are more versatile (than lettuce) in the kitchen.

Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada posted taste results here, and 'little gem' received an impressive 9 (out of 10). My conclusion is that 'little gem' likes it cool....
http://www.seedsanctuary.com/lettuce/index.cfm

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada

Oh, bland is good. I have four kids; of the three who are old enough to eat salad, two are of the "lettuce and ranch dressing only" persuasion. I will keep the water and heat requirements in mind. I checked the weather channel and our average highs top at 84 in July and start going back down from there. The sun is my concern though, as in the direct morning sun it seems pretty hot even though the ambient temp might only be in the 70s. Guess I will just have to stagger planting and keep notes to see what is a good time.