Black-seeded Simpson Looseleaf Lettuce sets the standard by which all looseleaf lettuces are measured. Large, light-green frilled leaves unfurl with an exceptionally crisp, fresh flavor that feels alive on the palate. This heirloom cultivar grows vigorously and produces abundantly, making it a reliable choice for gardeners who want genuine lettuce quality without the fuss of heading varieties. The broad, ruffled leaves are as beautiful as they are tender, and you'll find yourself harvesting continuously from spring through early summer. Germinate seeds between 60-70°F, space plants 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches wide, and you'll have harvestable leaves in weeks.
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Moderate
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Large, light-green frilled leaves with exceptionally crisp texture and fresh flavor define this variety's appeal. The loose, open growth habit means you can harvest outer leaves continuously without waiting for a head to form, giving you salads from a single plant for months. Black-seeded Simpson earns its reputation as the measuring stick for looseleafs because it delivers what gardeners actually want: genuine crispness and clean taste with minimal bitterness, even in warm weather.
Black-seeded Simpson is grown for fresh salads where its crisp leaves and tender texture shine. The continuous harvest nature of looseleaf lettuce means you can pick leaves as needed for dinner salads, composed greens, or simple lettuce platters throughout the growing season. Its fresh, clean flavor works in any salad preparation where raw lettuce is the star.
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Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost in trays or flats kept at 60-70°F. Seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days and should be ready to transplant when they develop their first true leaves.
Transplant seedlings outdoors once they are 2-3 inches tall and soil has warmed to at least 50°F. Harden off plants gradually over a week before planting. Space transplants 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds in spring as soon as soil is workable, or in late summer for a fall crop. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and keep soil evenly moist until germination at 60-70°F. This method eliminates transplanting and is often preferred for succession plantings.
Begin harvesting outer leaves once the plant reaches 4-6 inches tall, typically 40-50 days after sowing. Pinch or cut leaves at the base of the plant, always removing outer leaves first to encourage continued growth from the center. You can harvest individual leaves indefinitely or cut the entire rosette 1 inch above soil level for a fresh flush. Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and cool. The loose, open habit means you'll never have a moment when there's nothing to pick.
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“Black-seeded Simpson appears in seed catalogs as a standard looseleaf variety, grown and preserved by gardeners and seed savers for generations. Its enduring presence in catalogs, including Native Seeds/SEARCH's collection, reflects its status as a trusted heirloom that gardeners keep coming back to. The variety's widespread adoption suggests it emerged as a reliable performer in home gardens and has been maintained through continuous seed saving rather than commercial breeding.”