Lettuce

Unique lettuce variety with tender, flavorful leaves.

This Arrowhead scores a bullseye for form and color, developing a gorgeous oakleaf rosette in a dance of green and bronze. Good for mesclun and cut-and-come-again culture. Very slow to bolt. Introduced by the Germania Seed & Plant Co, this bronze was given a bronze medal by the AAS judges in 1947. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Our trials evaluator called this 8–12" butterhead “the cucumber of lettuce, smooth and soothing with a green refreshing flavor.” Dark green outer leaves with creamy center heart. New York market lettuce grower

Our trials evaluator called this 8–12" butterhead “the cucumber of lettuce, smooth and soothing with a green refreshing flavor.” Dark green outer leaves with creamy center heart. New York market lettuce grower

Also known as Erthel. Named for its ruffled mint-leaf appearance, not for any minty flavor. Good size, exceptional crispness and sweet flavor with little bitterness even in mid-July. This long-standing dark green romaine has an open habit and a rounded top. Notes from CR’s original trial in 1999: “Lovely and delicious, crisp and sweet. Nice size, ruffled leaves, GET THIS!! It’s still a winner in our recent trials. Slow to bolt, though some tendency to TB in July heat. ② Family-owned companies or cooperatives, domestic and foreign

Also known as Erthel. Named for its ruffled mint-leaf appearance, not for any minty flavor. Good size, exceptional crispness and sweet flavor with little bitterness even in mid-July. This long-standing dark green romaine has an open habit and a rounded top. Notes from CR’s original trial in 1999: “Lovely and delicious, crisp and sweet. Nice size, ruffled leaves, GET THIS!! It’s still a winner in our recent trials. Slow to bolt, though some tendency to TB in July heat. ② Family-owned companies or cooperatives, domestic and foreign

An inspiring mix with lots of surprises, Frank Morton created this in his “Hell’s Half-Acre lettuce trial.” He crossed his most disease-resistant with his best-tasting varieties to select for excellent traits. At least 10–12 “great looking and great tasting” variations won raves from trialer Donna Dyrek. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

An inspiring mix with lots of surprises, Frank Morton created this in his “Hell’s Half-Acre lettuce trial.” He crossed his most disease-resistant with his best-tasting varieties to select for excellent traits. At least 10–12 “great looking and great tasting” variations won raves from trialer Donna Dyrek. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

A mini-iceberg—let us call it a bergy bit. Folded and blistered light green leaves wrap into a tight crisp whorled 4" head that easily makes a single-serving salad. This victory from breeder Frank Morton’s Merlox derivations combines an iceberg look and juicy crunch with wonderfully smooth butterhead texture.  Market growers will find uniformly early maturing but slow-bolting, but gets bitter in heat. Best for spring and fall. Resistant to TB, DM and SC around the calendar. Our latest lot of seed may contain purple off-types. Breeder Royalties. OSSI. According to Vaughan’s 1904 seed catalog, Iceberg takes its name from the small indentations in the leaf that fill with dewdrops giving them a crystalline appearance. With its toothed and fringed light green leaf, famous crunchy juicy texture and mild sweet flavor Iceberg has become an iconic American food. Late to make mature heads, Icebergs face heat and stress with grace and tolerance—lettuce lessons for our politicians? Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Versatile companion to Lettuce Blend. At least five varieties, certified-organic seed, chosen from among beets, chard, arugula, mustards, orachs, purslane, chervil and kales suitable for mesclun or braising. For a fully organic salad, from seed to table. Exact components will vary according to availability. You can look up the specific varieties in your mix by lot number here. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct seeding.

Has become the classic summer romaine for warm regions. If the walls are tumbling down on your summer lettuce, try Jericho, bred in Israel’s hot dry climate. An imposing romaine, under fertile conditions it can grow dense hefty 2' tall heads of light green sword-shaped upright leaves. Yet it remains crisp, juicy and unusually sweet, most years resisting TB or bolting well into July. Remains attractive even in bad years and tolerates BOR. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Has become the classic summer romaine for warm regions. If the walls are tumbling down on your summer lettuce, try Jericho, bred in Israel’s hot dry climate. An imposing romaine, under fertile conditions it can grow dense hefty 2' tall heads of light green sword-shaped upright leaves. Yet it remains crisp, juicy and unusually sweet, most years resisting TB or bolting well into July. Remains attractive even in bad years and tolerates BOR. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Winter-hardy lettuce variety with excellent cold tolerance. Compact, green heads suitable for overwintering. Named for Landis Valley Museum in Lancaster, PA.

We don’t wait for Santa Claus to deliver the goods—we have a seed grower out west producing this popular extremely cold-hardy butterhead for us. Protected only by snow cover, all of Donna Dyrek’s plants survived a mild Zone 4 Maine winter outdoors, but as snowfall becomes less reliable, we recommend providing other winter protection. Can be set out under cover 2–3 weeks before first frost to aim for 4–6" plants at the onset of winter weather. Will resume vigorous growth as days grow longer, tolerating spring frosts. Elegant lime-green 6–8" buttery heads, sweet and tasty. Not for summer—it will bolt and turn bitter, but suited for other seasons. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days. Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

We don’t wait for Santa Claus to deliver the goods—we have a seed grower out west producing this popular extremely cold-hardy butterhead for us. Protected only by snow cover, all of Donna Dyrek’s plants survived a mild Zone 4 Maine winter outdoors, but as snowfall becomes less reliable, we recommend providing other winter protection. Can be set out under cover 2–3 weeks before first frost to aim for 4–6" plants at the onset of winter weather. Will resume vigorous growth as days grow longer, tolerating spring frosts. Elegant lime-green 6–8" buttery heads, sweet and tasty. Not for summer—it will bolt and turn bitter, but suited for other seasons. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days. Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

Lettuce variety with tender leaves suitable for salads and baby greens.

Elegant lime-green Olga wooed us in our 2006 lettuce trials. Big upright 8" oval heads with big hearts, big flavor and slightly fringed leaves. So sweet, crisp and buttery that Frank Morton thinks Olga must have some butterhead in the background. Stood considerable heat before developing slight tipburn and bitterness in August. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Elegant lime-green Olga wooed us in our 2006 lettuce trials. Big upright 8" oval heads with big hearts, big flavor and slightly fringed leaves. So sweet, crisp and buttery that Frank Morton thinks Olga must have some butterhead in the background. Stood considerable heat before developing slight tipburn and bitterness in August. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

The mini-romaine runaway star of 32 lettuce varieties in CR’s 2013 trial, this very deep purple version of a compact Winter Density–type develops pronounced color early and keeps it through its entire growth cycle. Our taste tasters rated it sweet, mild and juicy with good crunch. Best sowed early and harvested small for salad mix or baby romaine because it will bolt in heat. Planting for fall allows it to mature its striking self-contained 6" head. Cold-tolerant, suffered only sparse BOR during recent wet Junes. Breeder Royalties. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

A leaf lettuce for three seasons introduced by Beth and Nathan Corymb of Meadowlark Hearth who selected and multiplied it from heirloom seed they brought from Europe. The lofty loose 10–12" compact heads with slightly ruffled leaves are green in their centers and lightly tinged with bronze toward the leaf tips. Can be harvested at 8" for “one-cut” salad leaf. Red Tinged was a hardy survivor in Roberta Bailey’s overwintering test, and Hildy Danforth of Shelburne, NH, said that “it was the best I’ve seen in my fall greenhouse and I’ve grown every lettuce with the word ‘winter’ in its name.” Sow to mature in fall or late fall, or start in fall to overwinter and rally for major production in spring. Turns quite bitter in heat, so not for summer production. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

A leaf lettuce for three seasons introduced by Beth and Nathan Corymb of Meadowlark Hearth who selected and multiplied it from heirloom seed they brought from Europe. The lofty loose 10–12" compact heads with slightly ruffled leaves are green in their centers and lightly tinged with bronze toward the leaf tips. Can be harvested at 8" for “one-cut” salad leaf. Red Tinged was a hardy survivor in Roberta Bailey’s overwintering test, and Hildy Danforth of Shelburne, NH, said that “it was the best I’ve seen in my fall greenhouse and I’ve grown every lettuce with the word ‘winter’ in its name.” Sow to mature in fall or late fall, or start in fall to overwinter and rally for major production in spring. Turns quite bitter in heat, so not for summer production. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

As rich a red lollo rosso as anyone could want. Enjoy its 10–12" deeply frilled thick crunchy intensely colored leaves. Once planted, this Revolution will be live—holding a very long time without developing much bitterness before the hot summer sun of Thermidor brings about its reaction. Before then, as any defender of the status quo will tell you: to stop the Revolution, you cut off its head. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days. Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

Classic romaine lettuce with upright, elongated heads and crisp, sweet leaves. Versatile for salads and wraps.

French heirloom from the 1800s with rich, buttery flavor. Compact, 12" tall romaine head with tender green heart surrounded by bronze-red leaves.

Large, tightly wrapped iceberg-type lettuce heads with thick, crispy, sweet leaves. Glossy dark green foliage that is tender at margins and thickens toward the root. Excellent field holding and extended cooler shelf life.

Large, tightly wrapped iceberg-type lettuce heads with thick, crispy, sweet leaves. Glossy dark green foliage that is tender at margins and thickens toward the root. Excellent field holding and extended cooler shelf life.

For many commercial growers, Tango is the looseleaf of choice for overwintering and for productivity in cool weather. A frilly standard in salad mixes and mesclun adding loft and interesting texture. Deeply cut pointed leaves, reminiscent of endive, have pleasant flavor and no bitterness. Bolts readily in heat, so plant accordingly if you want it to grow to full maturity. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days. Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

This venerable and adored miniature butterhead was introduced in England by H. Wheeler & Sons in 1858. It came to the States ten years later. One customer wrote to Burpee’s in 1894, “It is just what the gardener wants…a good dwarf variety, a quick grower.” Former Fedco staffer Heron called it “fairy cabbage.” In the dewy cool of spring or fall, Tom Thumb forms its extra-early tightly bunched tiny head. With sweet buttery light-medium green outer leaves and creamy white crunchy centers, it’s tasty and attractive for early markets. Can be closely spaced as the heads seldom exceed 5" in diameter. Please do not attempt to grow it in warm temps—it turns into an ugly toad! ④ Multinational corporations not to our knowledge engaged in genetic engineering Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Also known as Craquerelle du Midi, a French heirloom from the 19th century. Is it a bibb or a romaine? Any way you look at it, its thick tender dark green leaves make superb eating. Starts out looking like a bibb then wrapper leaves fold tightly, forming a head like a romaine when mature. Combines the substance of romaine with the tender succulence of bibb. No warm-temperature germination tolerance. ③ Domestic and foreign corporations not part of a larger conglomerate Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat.

Also known as Craquerelle du Midi, a French heirloom from the 19th century. Is it a bibb or a romaine? Any way you look at it, its thick tender dark green leaves make superb eating. Starts out looking like a bibb then wrapper leaves fold tightly, forming a head like a romaine when mature. Combines the substance of romaine with the tender succulence of bibb. No warm-temperature germination tolerance. ③ Domestic and foreign corporations not part of a larger conglomerate Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat.

For those who crave fresh salads most of the year, a popular selection of varieties with the potential to survive the winter with protection and resume vigorous growth in the spring. You can look up the specific varieties in your blend by lot number here. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

For those who crave fresh salads most of the year, a popular selection of varieties with the potential to survive the winter with protection and resume vigorous growth in the spring. You can look up the specific varieties in your blend by lot number here. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Did you say wintah? Here in Maine we appreciate a lettuce that makes it through the rigors. Winter Wonderland was one of the lettuces to survive Roberta’s over-wintering test. Full disclosure: that winter was not the harshest we’ve known. A 2' tall erect romaine with dark green leaves and a spread of about 1', Wonderland is slow to bolt in heat but we recommend it for farming the dark side of the calendar. White seed. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

We don’t wait for Santa Claus to deliver the goods—we have a seed grower out west producing this popular extremely cold-hardy butterhead for us. Protected only by snow cover, all of Donna Dyrek’s plants survived a mild Zone 4 Maine winter outdoors, but as snowfall becomes less reliable, we recommend providing other winter protection. Can be set out under cover 2–3 weeks before first frost to aim for 4–6" plants at the onset of winter weather. Will resume vigorous growth as days grow longer, tolerating spring frosts. Elegant lime-green 6–8" buttery heads, sweet and tasty. Not for summer—it will bolt and turn bitter, but suited for other seasons. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days. Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

Did you say wintah? Here in Maine we appreciate a lettuce that makes it through the rigors. Winter Wonderland was one of the lettuces to survive Roberta’s over-wintering test. Full disclosure: that winter was not the harshest we’ve known. A 2' tall erect romaine with dark green leaves and a spread of about 1', Wonderland is slow to bolt in heat but we recommend it for farming the dark side of the calendar. White seed. Also called Cos. Large crisp-stemmed leaves wrap into a tall head with buttery but snapping blanched centers. Great performance in cold and heat. Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

For those who crave fresh salads most of the year, a popular selection of varieties with the potential to survive the winter with protection and resume vigorous growth in the spring. You can look up the specific varieties in your blend by lot number here. Exact components will vary according to availability; click here for current list of varieties in each mix (posted in mid-January). Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.