Quality seeds for kitchen, cottage and native gardeners
Vegetable Seeds Catalogue
Lettuce
Sds/g: 700-1000 Feed Requirements: Moderate Usual Seed Life:4-6 years
Cultural Notes:
- An essential to grow in the garden or containers as the supermarket greens never taste as good freshly picked. Packaged supermarket salad greens may be treated with a chlorine-containing compound and/or an antioxidant or preservative during washing or before packaging.
- Lettuce may be harvested 12 months of the year in Tasmania, ensure that you grow the correct varieties to see you through winter and into early spring or grow in a greenhouse or cold frame.
- The four main types of lettuce eaten in Australia are crisphead (tight heads), butterhead (looser heads), cos/romaine and leaf. Most lettuce varieties prefer cool weather to grow (16-18ºC) and this is especially true of the heading types, so it is best to sow them up to the end of October. Cos and leaf varieties grow better through the heat of summer.
- Lettuce requires large amounts of water as they have shallow root systems. Never let them go thirsty otherwise you will end up with bitter a bitter lettuce and they will tend to go to seed earlier. Over-mature lettuce (starting to go to seed) also tastes bitter. Seeds germinate best at 18-20ºC and even at temperatures as low as 5ºC, but germinate poorly above 24ºC (the seed can go dormant in high temperatures). Sow seed direct into soil (3-5 mm) that has had some compost and fertiliser worked in. For leaf varieties thin to 30cm apart and head and cos varities to 40cm apart. Rows should be about 40cm apart. For a continuous supply sow a mix of varieties every 3-4 weeks.
- If you are going to sow into punnets or cells do not overcrowd them because when transplanting and the root structures get stressed or broken when pulled apart they can be triggered into seed production early. Turning bitter and running to seed.
Problems:
- Slugs and snails can cause havoc with seedlings. Once harvesting the lettuce give a good rinse or soak to get rid of any hiding in your dinner.
Harvest:
- Harvest heads when firm or leaf as needed.
Sowing periods
‘Little Gem’ is a small compact cos-butterhead style lettuce. It is a quick maturing variety with a firm, sweet heart, blanched leaves inside and crisp green leaves on the outside. A favourite for home gardeners in small spaces and containers or for intercropping between large, perennial vegetables. Great for Caesar salads. 500 seeds.
A French heirloom that has been grown in kitchen gardens from circa 1880. As the name suggest this butterhead variety can be sown from late winter – autumn for harvesting all year around. A good tasting & great looking lettuce with ruby, bronze outer leaves encompassing a tight green heart. 400 seeds.
LETTUCE ‘Mesclun Mix’
A great mix of salad greens that is bound to set you mouth watering. A mix of ‘cut and come again’ lettuces and some spicier greens (Rocket, Chicory and Tatsoi). Simply add feta, olive oil & balsamic for a basic salad. 500 seeds.
A crisp Batavian style lettuce that has thick, crunchy, red tinged leaves. This French Heirloom handles both summer and winter. ‘Michelle’ has a fine flavour that does not easily go bitter. Cooler weather brings out an attractive red tinge on the leaves, during summer the leaves stay mostly green. 600 seeds.
The hardy triangular, juicy leaves on 30cm tall stalks have a delicious fresh flavour and grow well over the cooler months with temperatures around 10C. In mid spring the plant produces tiny white flowers and self seeds over summer. Very good groundcover for the vegie garden. Pick this winter salad regularly to promote regrowth. 100 seeds. Not to WA.
A loose leaf lettuce with very attractive, deeply serrated and healthy green leaves. This ‘Cutting’ lettuce can be cut whole about 3cm above the stem or the leaves can be picked individually. In both cases they will regrow. Do not overfeed lettuces, but keep them well watered over summer. 800 seeds
A loose leaf lettuce with very attractive, shiny and healthy red leaves. This ‘Cutting’ lettuce can be cut whole about 3cm above the stem or the leaves can be picked individually. In both cases they will regrow. Do not overfeed lettuces, but keep them well watered over summer. 600 seeds
A shorter Cos-Type lettuce with bright green longish, crisp-textured, distinctly flavoured leaves, which need about 3 months to mature. Can withstand hot and dry conditions well without going to seed. Also good for intercropping between large, perennial vegetables or as a pot plant. 400 seeds
A red butterhead variety with sweet, buttery red leaves (with a tinge of green). A medium sized lettuce with bright red heads that looks and tastes fabulous in any salad bowl. A lettuce of the highest eating quality. Best for spring, summer and autumn crops (does not like cold, wet winters). Slow to bolt. Not to WA. 400 seeds.
These ‘Cutting’ lettuce can be cut whole about 3cm above the stem or the leaves can be picked individually. In both cases they will regrow. Do not over feed lettuce, but keep them well watered during summer or grow them in half shade between sweetcorn and onions. 500 seeds
A French heirloom whose name translates as Queen of the Ice. It is indeed a regal iceberg style lettuce with attractive lacy, dark green outer leaves. It has excellent flavour and crunch. While an iceberg style with fancy, spikey leaves it is a bit smaller and the leaves are less densely wrapped. 500 seeds.
This fine old French classic has broad, buttery, red- tinted leaves. Better suited to cool climates (best growth in 16-18˚C) where the red is intensified by the cold. Quick growing with good regrowth, making it popular for picking as a ‘baby leaf’. It is ideal as a winter lettuce as it is very frost tolerant. 500 seeds.