Our gourmet lettuce varieties can be continuously grown and harvested throughout the growing season, ensuring a steady supply of crisp, delicious mixed salad.

Check out all our lettuce varieties: Black Seeded Simpson Seed, Buttercrunch Lettuce Seed, Parris Island Cos Romaine Seed, Red Salad Bowl Seed, Mesclun Mix Seed

Not Your Mother’s Iceberg Lettuce

Not Your Mother's Iceberg Lettuce

Not so long ago, when people thought about lettuce, they thought exclusively about iceberg lettuce, because it used to be the only kind available. Not that we have anything against iceberg lettuce, we are glad there are so many more interesting (and nutritious) varieties commonly available these days. Our lettuce seed offerings represent an interesting mix of flavors, texture and appearance.

Interesting Facts About Lettuce Plants

Fact 1
Lettuce —Lactuca Sativa—is an annual vegetable and member of the daisy or (Asteraceae or Compositae) family. Other members of this very large family include chamomile, artichokes, tarragon and dandelions.
Fact 2
Lettuce is made up largely of water (95%) which is why it can be frozen or canned and must be eaten fresh.
Fact 3
Be sure not to store your lettuce with certain fruit like apples or bananas as they emit a gas called ethylene which accelerates ripening—not a desirable effect for lettuce.
Fact 4
Historical documents reveal lettuce was cultivated in ancient Egypt 6000 years ago, later spreading to Europe and other parts of the world. Lettuce was introduced to America by Christopher Columbus during his second trip to the New World in 1494.
Fact 5
China currently leads the world in the production of lettuce. Almost half of all lettuce eaten today is grown by the Chinese.

Lettuce Gardening Tips

Difficulty
Difficulty

Easy (among the easiest!)

Sun
Sun

Grows fastest in full sun but can tolerate some shade which, indeed, can be helpful in late spring/early summer when soaring afternoon temperatures can trigger bolting (see below)

Water
Water

Keep lettuce roots consistently moist but not soaking wet. Similar to most plants, early morning watering is best to avoid pests and fungi

Soil
Soil

Fertile, well-drained, soil amended with plenty of composted manure and nitrogen-rich matter, such as blood meal or cottonseed meal. Soil pH should be 6-7. Soil temperatures should be at least 35° for sowing seeds

Air
Air

45°F to 80°F

Timing
Timing

For maximum production, plant seeds indoors in late winter/early spring four-six weeks before last anticipated frost AND direct sow outside in the garden three weeks before the last frost. Lettuce seedlings like cool temperatures and can even tolerate a light frost (protect them from unexpected, heavy frosts). Plant again every 2-3 weeks after that for continuous harvest. In zone 8 and warmer, plant in late summer for fall harvest or grow it all winter long in a cold frame or row cover.

Planting
Planting

Plant seeds ¼-½ inches deep, tamp down soil and water gently. Thin and space according to seed packet instructions as each variety has different requirement

Germination
Germination

2-12 days depending on variety and air/soil temperature

Time to Harvest
Time to Harvest

45-55 days for leaf lettuce; romaine takes 75-85 days

Feeding
Feeding

Add organic fertilizer three weeks after planting. Choose a formulation with relatively high amounts of nitrogen and potassium

Mulch
Mulch

Add mulch as seedlings develop to retain moisture and discourage weeds.

Pests & Diseases
Pests & Diseases

Lettuce is susceptible to aphids and slugs. Plant with chives and garlic to deter aphids and set slug traps if necessary. Be sure to rotate lettuce to different garden beds every two years

Special Considerations
Special Considerations

Weed regularly to eliminate any competition for water or nutrients. The strong summer sun with its high afternoon temperatures will cause lettuce to bolt (flowering at the end of its life cycle in order to produce seeds; this makes the lettuce bitter and unpalatable).

Companion Plants
Companion Plants

Tomato, carrot, cucumber, onion, radish (think mixed salad!), chives, garlic, strawberries and marigolds

Container-Friendly
Container-Friendly

Yes!

Harvesting Lettuce

Harvesting Harvesting LettuceUnlike most vegetables, leaf lettuce can be continually harvested—and, indeed, is delicious young—any time after the true leaves appear. Lettuce leaves are sweeter when they’re young, becoming bitter as the plants mature and start to set seed (through flowering). To harvest leaf lettuce, pull off the outer leaves, leaving the center of the plant to continue growing. To harvest a full head of a variety like romaine, cut it off at the soil line. Harvesting in the morning is best when leaves are moist and crisp. Since lettuce is made up of mostly water, it doesn’t last long after harvest so should be consumed quickly.
Once lettuce plants start to bolt, pull them up and start over by planting new seeds (when it’s cooler).

Growing Lettuce—Highlights

  • We offer several favorite varieties; grow all of them for a living, mixed salad bowl
  • Lettuce is fast-growing and can be continuously harvested throughout much of the growing season
  • Growing your own lettuce is much less expensive than buying it in the store
  • You can grow lettuce among other vegetables and flowers
  • It’s among the easiest vegetables to grow
  • Lettuce takes up relatively little space in the garden and is perfect for containers
  • Lettuce is the second most consumed vegetable in the U.S.A – after potatoes
  • The crisp, mild and refreshing taste of lettuce complements other, heavier foods
  • Like most vegetables, lettuce is low in calories and high in fiber. It’s a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.