New York 12 Lettuce

Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost, sowing them in trays or small pots at a soil temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep soil consistently moist and provide bright light once seedlings emerge.

Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off for 7 to 10 days, timing the move for when daytime temperatures reach the 50s and nights stay above freezing. Space plants 8 inches apart in rows 15 inches apart. New York 12's frost tolerance allows earlier transplanting than many tender lettuces.

Direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as soil can be worked in spring, pressing them lightly into moist soil surface or covering with no more than 1/4 inch of soil. Sow again in late summer for a fall crop in most zones.

Begin harvesting outer leaves once plants are 4 to 6 inches tall, or wait 50 to 55 days from planting for full mature heads. Cut the entire head at soil level using a sharp knife, or harvest individual outer leaves from the bottom up and allow the center to continue growing. Harvest in early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture for the best texture and flavor. New York 12's tendency to resist bolting extends the harvest window compared to other summer lettuces, allowing you to pick over a longer period.