Heirloom Crisphead Lettuce
Webb’s Wonderful
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
In cool early spring weather, start seeds in finely worked soil in full sun. Sow 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 6 to 8 inches apart and cover seeds lightly. Tend carefully and keep evenly moist. Gradually thin out extra seedlings (enjoy in early salads) leaving remaining plants standing 10-12 inches apart so lettuces have room to size up and fully mature into crunchy heads.
Sow again a few weeks later for another crop unless summer heat comes on strong. Plant again in early fall.
GROWING NOTES
Lettuce thrives in cool conditions with consistent moisture. Weed, water and thin carefully to proper spacing for best quality heavy heads. If birds are attracted to the young seedlings, cover planting beds with floating row covers or netting. Make a shade structure in hotter climates to extend the growing season.
HARVEST AND USE
Savor young thinnings in early spring salads. Be sure to thin properly and keep evenly moist for sweet tasting leaves. Harvest outside leaves or cut mature heads when well filled out. Pull and discard or compost over-mature plants if they begin to elongate (“bolt”) in hot weather as leaves turn bitter at this stage.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Days to Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
April – May
|
Sept – April
|
Full sun
|
2 inches apart |
7 - 14 days
|
60 – 70 days
|
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Days to Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
April – May
|
Sept – April
|
Full sun
|
2 inches apart |
7 - 14 days
|
60 – 70 days
|
Cold Winters
April – May
|
Mild Winters
Sept – April
|
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Sow Seeds2 inches apart |
Days to Germinate
7 - 14 days
|
Days to Harvest
60 – 70 days
|