Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce is a crisp, tender leaf lettuce that rewards quick harvests with consistently harvestable leaves in as little as 21 days. This frost-tolerant cultivar grows to a modest 8 inches tall and thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to many garden conditions. From spring through fall, successive sowings every three weeks ensure a steady supply of fresh greens for salads and light cooking. The black seeds that give this variety its name are a dependable marker of quality genetics passed down through generations of gardeners.
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This leaf lettuce delivers speed and reliability. You can be harvesting tender leaves in three weeks, and the plants tolerate light frosts, extending your growing season on both ends. Spaced just 12 inches apart, it fits easily into small garden beds, containers, and succession plantings. The leaf texture stays tender even as plants mature, and you can pick individual outer leaves without harvesting the entire head.
Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce is a salad green through and through. The tender leaves shine in fresh green salads where their delicate texture and mild flavor don't compete with other ingredients. You can harvest individual leaves as needed, making it perfect for small households or when you want fresh greens without committing to an entire head of lettuce. The leaves also work well in mixed green bowls and light sautés, though their tender nature means they wilt quickly with heat.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Also start indoors in summer when outdoor soil temperatures exceed 80°F, which inhibits lettuce seed germination. Keep soil temperature around 60 to 70°F for optimal germination.
Transplant seedlings outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, or in summer when soil temperatures have cooled below 80°F. Space plants 12 inches apart with 12 inches between rows.
Sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, when soil temperature reaches at least 40°F. Sow again every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild climates can sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.
Begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant reaches harvest maturity, typically 21 to 40 days after sowing depending on temperature and light. Pick individual outer leaves from the bottom of the plant, working your way up and around, which allows the inner leaves to continue growing. You can harvest this way repeatedly from the same plant over several weeks. For a full head harvest, cut the entire plant just above soil level. Leaf lettuce is most tender when harvested in cool morning hours.
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