favorite lettuces

9 years ago

I have always grown a good sized garden - corn, potatoes, tomatoes, etc. When I retired three years ago, I found I had time throughout the summer to do some succession planting. My favorite crop by far has become lettuce. I plant lettuce seeds five times a year in my cold frame, then transplant the plantlets to the garden as other crops finish up. Initially I planted a lot of buttercrunch and romaine. Both have a tendency to bolt in hot weather. Two years ago I happened on a variety of iceberg type lettuce called "summertime". I had picked up a sixpack at a local amish greenhouse. This lettuce did very well forming nice compact dense heads in July. Last year I found the seeds of "summertime" on line and have been growing it ever since. I still grow buttercrunch and romaine, but the summertime is my favorite. If you are looking for a lettuce that will mature in warm-hot weather, I would recommend that you try this one.

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PcolaGrower

9 years ago

I haven't grown too many lettuce, but my favorite has to be the salanova line from johnnys. The green and red sweet crisp and the green and red butter are my favorites. The amount they yield is ridiculous. The seeds might be a lil expensive, but you can get multiple cuts. Ill post a picture of some of my harvest when i get home on my computer. I do like winter density too, it grows a decent head for me.

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Comments (9)

babushka_cat
9 years ago
Hi Bill - if you are passionate about lettuce here are 2 short videos on how to grow in a high density fashion. May enable you to get more of what you love! These are both videos specific to lettuce growing, from the MIGardener series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_Nz8AdTW0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWeFH1MVHko
bill_kocher thanked babushka_cat
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
9 years ago
Welcome to Garden Web Bill! Can you define what you consider 'warm-hot' weather that Summertime was able to withstand. What may be considered hot in the north may be considered pretty mild in the deep south. I live here in the middle of the country and we can often be around triple digits in July and August and if Summertime can withstand that I would be very impressed!

I grow mostly romaine and mini romaine types and have also grown Muir, and Nevada which are both pretty heat resistant but can't take our mid summer temps here.
bill_kocher thanked LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
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wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
9 years ago
I agree about telling where you live. I tried iceburg last summer and it was a flop. I do raise butterhead both spring and fall.
bill_kocher thanked wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
User
9 years ago
There are some romaines from Israel that do well.

I liked "Winter Density" (a butterhead) and "Devil's Tongue" (red deer's tongue) for winter growing. The aphids devoured the butterhead but left the Devil's Tongue alone.
bill_kocher thanked User
bill_kocher
Original Author
9 years ago
I live in central Pennsylvania. Warm - hot to me is upper 80's to mid 90's. We don't see triple digit temps here. I have grown Nevada also and I liked it too. Thanks to all for the comments.
14tomatoes_md_7a
9 years ago
Most productive for us is New Red Fire (six cuttings and stands up to 90+ temps), but can have some bitterness in the Summer.

Best tasting by far (from many we've grown) is an 1800's French heirloom called Merveille des Quatre Saisons (marvel of the four seasons) --- a MUST TRY for all lettuce lovers!

Tony

https://ohioheirloomseeds.com/products/merveille-des-quatre-saisons-lettuce-seeds

stock photo
meconella
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Check out the Batavians, sometimes known as summer crisps. Varieties such as Nevada, Sierra (and it's descendants), Magenta, Cherokee, Carioca, and a few others. They are my favorites. The leaves have a bit more texture to them, though they are not tough at all. They can take more heat as well.

We don't get hot summers here (sometimes up to the 90s) but I've been able to grow lettuce through the summer with the aid of some shade cloth. That really makes a difference - and it isn't that expensive.
farmerdill
9 years ago
Sorry I don't have any lettuce that will stand triple digits. I have grown Summertime and it does stand up as long as the Romaines. Igloo also is a heat resistant cultivar That is as productive as Summertime.
Igloo
Summertime

Limestone Bibb
Parris Island