1.89 Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce

Vegetable

 

Lactuca sativa

Description: Black Seeded Simpson is an old favorite - both because of its flavor and because of it's earliness: full sized leaves can be harvested in just a little over a month and "greens" can be harvested in three weeks! Withstands a lot of adverse conditions including some drought, some frost, and some heat (bolts late). 1 PACKET WILL PLANT (3)-10 FOOT ROWS.
Seeding Info: OUTSIDE: Early spring, 3-4 weeks before last frost, and successive plantings thereafter every 3 weeks until two weeks before the first fall frost. This means that warmer climates (zones 5-9) can grow lettuce early and late into the year. In zones 9 or warmer, lettuce can be grown all year. INSIDE: 6 weeks before last frost or when soil temperatures are very high outside (seeds don't germinate well in very hot soils).
Culture: A cool season vegetable. Black Seeded Simpson is somewhat more heat resistant than other leaf lettuces; in areas of the country that don't have long, very hot climates, successive plantings of Black Seeded Simpson can produce lettuce spring through fall.
Soil: Light, textured, fertile, moist, well drained soil.
Water: Moist but not soggy - in general, lettuce gets bitter when it dries out.
Exposure: Full sun or light shade. Will grow in partial shade of tomatoes, pole beans, or peas in the heat of the summer.
Fertilizer: A light fertilization with fish emulsion at 4 weeks is recommended.
Special Care: Lettuce grows well near cabbage, beets, carrots, chives, garlic, and onions. Don't plant near broccoli. Shallow rooted - grows great with root crops. If you are going to plant a late crop lettuce, this could be one of the varieties to use. >When thinning lettuce, use thinnings in salads. >Can be planted in rows, but group plantings take less space and are attractive. Double or triple rows also work. >If directly seeding outside late summer for fall crop, remember that lettuce seed does not come up well in heat; cover seeded area with 2" X 6" boards to keep soil cool for a few days until seed comes up. >For early spring planting, cover soil with clear plastic to warm soil to 70 degrees, the optimum temperature for lettuce. When seedlings appear, immediately take off plastic.
Harvest Info: Ready to harvest in 40 days. Shear 2" above ground when plant is up to 10" in diameter or pick individual leaves anytime. The earlier the harvest, the more tender the crop. Can be harvested anytime - plant will regrow.
An Heirloom Variety