Nancy is a traditional Boston-type lettuce that delivers tender, flavorful heads in just 52 days from transplant. This open-pollinated variety thrives in cool weather, germinating reliably between 60 and 70°F, and tolerates frost well enough to extend your season on both ends. With its compact growth habit and modest spacing needs, Nancy fits neatly into small gardens, containers, or succession plantings for a steady supply of fresh salad greens.
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Moderate
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Nancy earns its place as Johnny's Selected Seeds' favorite traditional Boston type through consistent performance and reliable heading in cool conditions. The compact growth habit means you can tuck more plants into tight spaces, while the 52-day maturity keeps you harvesting quickly. As an open-pollinated variety, you can save seed from your best plants to replant year after year, building a connection between your garden and your table.
Nancy is grown for fresh salad greens and whole head lettuce harvest. As a Boston-type butterhead, its tender leaves are best enjoyed fresh in salads, where their delicate texture shines. The loose but compact head also works well for sandwiches and wraps when you want leaves that tear cleanly without bruising.
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Start Nancy indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your transplant date, keeping soil temperatures between 60 and 70°F for reliable germination. Use well-draining seed-starting mix and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Pelleted seed (which Johnny's Selected Seeds offers) provides excellent germination but should be used within one year of purchase; store in a cool, dark, dry place or in an airtight container in the refrigerator to protect from heat and humidity fluctuations.
Harden off transplants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting. Transplant into the garden as soon as soil can be worked in spring, spacing plants 6 inches apart with 12 inches between rows. Nancy tolerates frost, so don't wait for warm soil; cool soil actually favors steady growth and better heading.
Nancy reaches harvest maturity in 52 days from transplant. Cut the entire head at soil level when it feels firm and full but before outer leaves begin to yellow or the plant bolts in warm weather. For a longer harvest window, you can also pick individual outer leaves as the plant grows, leaving the center to continue developing. Store cut heads promptly in cool conditions to maintain crispness and quality.
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