Lettuce - Head
Lactuca sativa
Varieties
- Monte Carlo (small romaine)
- Salanova
- Easyleaf (Salanova type)
- Grazion (Head or Leaf)
- Mirlo (Butterhead)
Growth Habit
Mounding
Growing Conditions
Cold Tolerant | Freeze Tolerant
Disease and Pest Notes
- Tarnished Plant Bugs cause brown scarring on stems. Romaine is especially susceptible.
- Cabbage looper and cutworms can be controlled by Bacillus thuringiensis (such as Dipel DF, see Supplies) and/or spinosad (such as Entrust™), preferentially in rotation with one another to prevent selection of resistant individuals (check with your certifier before applying).
- Leafminers burrow underneath the skin and leave weaving, translucent trails. They are usually controlled by natural enemies.
- Slugs and Snails can be baited by beer traps. Practice clean cultivation and avoid mulch.
Mulch Type
Wood chips after planting | Compost mulch | Plastic bio mulch
Propagation
Seed
Life cycle
Seed germination treatment details
Put seeds in 118° water for 30 minutes if seed-borne disease issues occur.
Soil block size
1.25" 5 block maker.
Light requirements and depth
Cover with vermiculite or light soil.
Seed germination temperature
Best below 70°F. If exposed to temps above 77° even for a day in soil or storage they won't germinate well. Soil temps for germination are 40° - 80° - 75° optimum.
Heat mat temp
65° - 70°
Cool germination details
Best below 70°F. Utilize shade and frequent misting to keep trays cooled below 75°F (25°C) during germination.
Culture and fertilization requirements
Lettuce is a hardy, cool-weather crop and can be planted with your earliest worked soil. It grows best at 60–65°F (16–18°C) and germinates best below 70°F (21°C), so careful variety selection is key for success in hotter weather. Sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply of either full heads or salad mix.
THERMAL DORMANCY:
Lettuce seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures. Optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 60-68°F (16-20°C). The priming process in pelleted lettuce seeds broadens the temperature range in which the seeds will germinate, overcoming some of their thermal dormancy.
Succession interval - maximum
21
Harvesting details
Head Lettuce: Cut at base, keeping wrapper leaves for handling loss. Consider cutting alternating plants to extend harvest window, allowing remaining plants to continue to grow. Pack heads in layers facing cut ends away. Wash off sap and cool immediately to prevent staining and dehydration.
Current Seed Start & Transplant Dates
Note: Seed starting and transplant dates do not always correlate one to one with dates shown below. Note correct start and expected transplant dates on the tag of the tray for seed germination. Adjust dates with plant tags on a yearly basis if necessary. 8 ounces of fertilizer is about 1 cup. Consider Sustane various NPK and Alfalfa Meal or Blood Meal for nitrogen.
| Seed Start to Transplant Days | 21 |
| Days to Maturity after Transplant | 34 |
| Days to Maturity Total | 55 |
| Succession Interval | 14 - 21 |
| Number of Plantings per Season | 5 Spring | 8 - 9 Fall |
| Number of Transplants per Plant Date | 15 |
| Square Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date | 3 |
| Linear Feet of Bed Space per Plant Date | 1 |
| Spring Expected Harvest Date Range | 04/21 to 06/07 |
| Fall Expected Harvest Date Range | 11/01 to 03/01 |
| Killing Temperature | 15° Rouge d’hiver and winter varieties | 20° - head lettuce | 22° leaf lettuce |
Athens
Franklin
Transplant Details: 8" - 10" apart in a grid, and mini heads as close as 6" in a grid.
Direct Sow Dates ( if any )
Direct Sow Details: Seeds can germinate well in soils as low as 40°F (4°C) but often poorly above 75°F (24°C). Sow 4–6 seeds/inch in rows at least 2" apart. Cover lightly to 1/8" and firm gently. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture for uniform germination.
Seed Saving
Polination Type
Self Pollinating
Seed Collection
Space plants 1' apart. Flower may grow 2 to 5 feet tall. Collect only from plants that are slow to bolt or you'll be selecting for fast bolting.
Pull plant when enough seed heads have formed - when plant is 50% feather. Hang upside down to dry indoors for about a week.
Seed Viability Years
6 years
Seed Cleaning and Storage
Rub heads in hand or flail them. Screen material for the seeds. Hold seeds for at least 2 months before planting as they are dormant after harvest.
Isolation Requirements
sing with lettuce. Isolation usually isn't a concern. Separate by 20' to be sure. If prickly lettuce weed is nearby isolate from it by 200'.
Variety Details
Variety Name
Monte Carlo (small romaine)
Variety Description
Dark green, compact romaine for an all-season mid-size.
Unique growth habit with savoyed leaves forming in a whorl. Very attractive, uniform plants that are extra dark green. Dense heads can be harvested at a mini size or slightly larger. Creamy centers with great flavor.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Special Notes
6" - 8" grid
Seed Vendors
Johnny's
Variety Name
Salanova
Variety Description
Regarded as the newest innovation in salad mix production and a superior hydroponic lettuce, Salanova offers versatility, efficiency, and high value. Harvested as fully mature heads, the flavor and texture have more time to develop than traditional baby-leaf lettuces. From the unique structure of the core a multitude of uniformly-sized leaves develops that is harvestable with one simple cut. Salanova is more than 40% higher yielding, has better flavor and texture, and double the shelf life of traditional baby-leaf lettuce, making it an excellent option for field or indoor production.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Seed Vendors
Johnny's | 25 - $6.70
Variety Name
Easyleaf (Salanova type)
Variety Description
Beautiful, compact green tango type with excellent field holding quality.
Dense heads have impressive yields and vigorous growth. Flexible harvest window provided by exceptional field holding quality. Vibrant green leaves are tender and offer a crisp texture and desirable flavor. Plants are durable making for easy processing.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Special Notes
For Eazyleaf and mini heads, space in rows 6-9" apart
Seed Vendors
High Mowing | 100 - $4.20
Variety Name
Grazion (Head or Leaf)
Variety Description
A slow-bolting green leaf with heavy, attractive heads and dark green leaves with wavy margins. An updated disease resistance package, darker leaves, and heavier heads (that bulk up more quickly) than Starfighter. High resistance to downy mildew races EU 16–27, 30–32, US 5–9, Nasonovia ribisnigri aphid, and lettuce root aphid. Intermediate resistance to lettuce mosaic virus. MT0-30.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Seed Vendors
Johnny's | 500 seeds - $7.40
Variety Name
Mirlo (Butterhead)
Variety Description
Very large pale, green butterhead with luxurious appearance and excellent disease resistance.
Broad heads packed with tender, buttery leaves have an especially soft and cloud-kissed look. Well-filled, dense heart and relatively early for its size. Strong internal tip burn resistance. Our favorite among all the varieties in our extensive butterhead trials! From our partners at Vitalis Organic Seeds. This variety is protected by a Utility Patent - learn more here. Available as raw or pelleted seed.
Seed Type
Open Pollinated
Special Notes
Babyleaf - ¾” between bands, 16 rows/36” bed. Full size - 12-18” or 3 rows/36” bed, 5’ centers.
Seed Vendors
High Mowing | 500 - $6.30