Black Seeded SimpsonAbundant, crinkly, light green leaves with a crisp texture make this one of the most popular loose=leaf lettuce varieties. The mild, delicate flavor is best if timed to mature during cool weather. Because it matures quickly, it can be grown later in the spring than most varieties Culture: Direct sow seed as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Repeat at two-week intervals until late spring. Sow again in late summer and fall. water regularly and fertilize when 3" (7.5 cm) tall. provide light shade for late spring and summer sowing. Harvest: Pick leaves anytime as needed, but before they yellow or reach the size of your hand. you can also cut the entire plant Nutrition: Rich in fiber and potassium with a moderate amount of Vitamin A Seed Saving: As the days of summer begin to lengthen, the lettuce will bolt, or send up a stalk. To avoid selecting negative traits, gather seeds from the plants that are slow to bolt. After the stalk flowers and produces pods, the pods will turn light brown and split open; to prevent seed loss, shake the head of the stalk into a bag every day. Alternatively, some seed savers remove the entire plant when most of the pods are ready for harvest, and hang it upside down to dry in a protected location. Shake the seeds from the pods or crush the pods in your hands. The seed will have white "feathers" on them that can be removed by rubbing the seed on a fine mesh screen. Store the seed in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years. Notes:
ButtercrunchSmall rosette heads, 4 1/2″ wide, outer leaves are smooth and dark green. This butterhead variety is longstanding, slow-bolting, bib type with considerable heat resistance. Culture: Can be started indoors and transplanted or direct sown. Requires a rich, well-drained soil, that keeps continually moist during the growing season. Root systems develop best when planted in spring. Harvest: Successive planting every two weeks until fall for a continuous supply. Pick when heads are Full. Nutrition: Sources of vitamins A & C. Seed Saving: As the days of summer begin to lengthen, the lettuce will bolt, or send up a stalk. To avoid selecting negative traits, gather seeds from the plants that are slow to bolt. After the stalk flowers and produces pods, the pods will turn light brown and split open; to prevent seed loss, shake the head of the stalk into a bag every day. Alternatively, some seed savers remove the entire plant when most of the pods are ready for harvest, and hang it upside down to dry in a protected location. Shake these bibb lettuce seeds from the pods or crush the pods in your hands. The seed will have white "feathers" on them that can be removed by rubbing the seed on a fine mesh screen. Store seeds in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years. Notes:
Oakleaf GreenThis variety has tender, medium-green leaves resembling those of an oak tree. The heads are slow bolting and compact. Wonderful for the container-growing gardener. The quick growing time makes Oakleaf lettuce good for areas with short growing seasons. Harvesting: Start harvesting the outer leaves when they reach 4" or more. It's best to harvest early in the morning to keep them crisp and sweet. Continue harvesting throughout the growing season. Alternatively, harvest the entire plant by cutting the rosette of leaves about an inch or 2 above the crown. New leaves will form and you could get another harvest or 2 during the season if it remains temperate. Seed Saving: The plant will mature and bolt and start to produce flowers in about 60 days. Wait until the flower heads are fluffy and dry before harvesting. Hold a bag under the flowers and shake them into the bag. Do this daily until most of the mature seeds are collected. Or, cut off a stem of flower heads and shake them inside a bag. Seeds can be separated from the chaff and other debris by sifting through a metal mesh strainer. Seeds are better if collected from plants that are slower to bolt. Store them in a cool, dry place for next season's planting. Notes:
Tips:
Parris Island Cos (Romain Type)Reaching maturity in 70 days this hardy type lettuce forms large, erect, oval well folded heads with dark green outer leaves and a lighter green interior. It is a valuable green salad variety, crisp, mildly bitter with an endive-like flavor.
Culture: Lettuce thrives in cool weather and may bolt to seed in hot weather. When sowing, cover lightly; no more than 1/4" and firm soil gently. Keep soil moist to promote germination. Provide light shade for summer sowing. Nutrition: Rich in fiber and potassium, with a moderate amount of vitamin A Seed Saving: As the days of summer begin to lengthen, the lettuce will bolt, or send up a stalk. To avoid selecting negative traits, gather seeds from the plants that are slow to bolt. After the stalk flowers and produces pods, the pods will turn light brown and split open; to prevent seed loss, shake the head of the stalk into a bag every day. Alternatively, some seed savers remove the entire plant when most of the pods are ready for harvest, and hang it upside down to dry in a protected location. Shake the seeds from the pods or crush the pods in your hands. The seed will have white "feathers" on them that can be removed by rubbing the seed on a fine mesh screen. Store seeds in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years. Notes:
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CategoriesFDL Seed Library
The FDL Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that you can borrow to plant and grow at home. By saving seeds as a community we help create local seed stocks that are better acclimated to our climate and which support an abundant and genetically diverse landscape.
We ask that seeds are “returned” by harvesting seeds from a plant or two that you grow. Donated seeds will help to add diversity to our collection. Archives
March 2022
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