It’s time to think about 2023 gardening and lettuce is one of the first things we’ll be sowing. Curious about which types and varieties we’re growing this year? Keep reading for the list!
I think the key with lettuce this year is to get the succession sowing right (or at least close) and to harvest the lettuce on time. And if we’re not going to use it all, which is likely, especially since we’re still trying out different lettuces (meaning, we’ll probably overplant), then we need to cut and dispose of it before it’s 4′ tall. So, that’s the plan. đ
Here’s what we’re (probably) growing this year.
An Overview of What We Have
New Seed (just bought + last year’s):
Great Lakes 118 crisphead (Heirloom) (Botanical Interests)
Webb’s Wonderful (Reimer)
Jericho (Pinetree)
Anuenue (Fedco)
Superior 1 Iceberg/Crisphead (Territorial Seed Co.)
Iceberg Crisphead (True Leaf Market)
âThank Youâ Lettuce Mesclun from Botanical Interests (free seed from last year’s order)
Merlot (free seed) (Baker Creek)
Summer Lettuce Blend (Fedco)
Red Iceberg Lettuce (Fedco)
Old Seed:
These are seeds packed for 2020 or 2021, which is old for lettuce. However, I’ve had pretty going success with old lettuce seed so I think it’s still worthwhile. If you have plenty of seed it really doesn’t matter much if you only have 50%, or so, germination! I just tend to sow it thickly. In fact, I did that with some 2020 seed last year and it came up VERY thick. I don’t know if it was 100% germination but it was way more than I expected!
Parris Island Cos (free seed from Baker Creek, I think a couple of years ago).
Pinetree Lettuce Mix (Pinetree, 2020)
Webb’s Wonderful (Seed Saver’s Exchange, 2021)
Pinetree Winter Lettuce Mix (Pinetree, 2020)
Cimmaron (Pinetreen, 2020)
Winter Lettuce Mix (Fedco, 2020)
Salad Bowl (Caudill Seed Co., tested Oct, 2019). This is the one that surprised me last year!
Buttercrunch (Caudill Seed Co., tested Oct, 2019)
Very Old Seedâwill I sow it somewhere to see what happens?
Winter Lettuce Mix (Pinetree 2016)
Winter Lettuce Mix (Fedco 2013)
Some saved seed. I don’t know what year it is from. Should I sow it and see what happens? I think I will!
Lettuce By Type and Variety
I realized a year or so ago that our family prefers head lettuce over leaf types, in general. My dad and I really prefer it, and our favorite is iceberg. Sooo, why are we growing so little head lettuce and NO iceberg types? Good question. Let’s not go there.
Last year we really started testing lettuces and I’m learning how to grow head lettuce, especially iceberg types.
Head LettuceâIceberg/Crisphead Types
Great Lakes 118 Crisphead
Heirloom, âclassic iceberg.â From Botanical Interests. Heat tolerant and bolt resistant. Mmmhmmm. Seriously, we need all the help we can get! Buy Great Lakes 118 Crisphead Lettuce Seeds.
Why weâre growing it: Iceberg type, heat tolerant and bolt resistant. Testing lettuces.
Weâre weâll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Superior 1 Iceberg/Crisphead
From Territorial Seed Co. Dense heads, “in the heat of summer” sounds good.
Why we’re growing it: Iceberg type, testing lettuces.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Iceberg Crisphead
From True Leaf Market. Apparently just a generic iceberg.
Why we’re growing it: Iceberg type, testing lettuces.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Red Iceberg Lettuce
From Fedco Seeds.
Why we’re growing it: While we’re testing icebergs, why not be wild and try a red variety?
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Webb’s Wonderful
From Seed Savers Exchange (2021) and Reimer Seeds (2023. Slow to bolt, “holds up well in heat.”
Why we’re growing it: We’re trying out new lettuces. Good for summer?
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Head LettuceâRomaine/Other Types
Jericho
From Pinetree Seeds (2022 and 2023).
Why we’re growing it: We’re trying out new lettuce varieties.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Anuenue
From Fedco (2022).
Why we’re growing it: We’re trying out new lettuces.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Parris Island Cos
Free seed from Baker Creek, I think a couple of years ago.
Why we’re growing it: We have it, plus we’re trying out new lettuces.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden
Cimmaron
From Pinetree, 2020.
Why we’re growing it: We’re trying out new lettuces.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Leaf Lettuce
âThank Youâ Lettuce Mesclun
From Botanical Interests (free seed from last year’s order). Shop Botanical Interests for something similar.
Why we’re growing it: Because we have it!
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Merlot
Free seed from Baker Creek this year.
Why we’re growing it: Because we have it.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Summer Lettuce Blend
From Fedco, 2023.
Why we’re growing it: Because the mother likes summer lettuce mixes.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Pinetree Lettuce Mix
From Pinetree, 2020.
Why we’re growing it: Because the mother likes lettuce mixes.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Winter Lettuce Mix
From Fedco, 2020.
Why we’re growing it: Because the mother likes lettuce mixes. Extend lettuce harvest in the fall.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Pinetree Winter Lettuce Mix
From Pinetree, 2020.
Why we’re growing it: Because the mother likes lettuce mixes. Extend lettuce harvest in the fall.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Salad Bowl
From Caudill Seed Co., tested Oct, 2019.
Why we’re growing it: Because we have it. Why not see how much germinates? Very good germination last year.
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
Buttercrunch
From Caudill Seed Co. Tested Oct, 2019.
Why we’re growing it: We have it. Why not see how much of it germinates?
We’re we’ll grow it: In the Kitchen Garden.
We can’t possibly eat this much lettuce. As soon as we find our favorites, we probably need to cut way back on the number of lettuces we grow!
So that’s our lettuce roundup for 2023!
Are you growing lettuce this year? Where are you in your lettuce growing journey? Which types do you prefer and what varieties are you growing?
