Succession Planting – Lettuce
What is Succession Planting?
Succession planting is when a crop is planted at intervals, for lettuce this is approximately every two weeks. The goal of succession planting is to ensure a continued harvest, especially for foods that are eaten fresh, and are not in some way preserved or over-wintered. This technique also works well for those with limited space.
Most lettuce varieties are cool season crops, however there are a few varieties that are less likely to bolt, or go to seed, than other varieties. When a plant goes to seed, it becomes bitter, which is not to everyone’s palate. Leafy greens, especially salads, are often most eaten in the summer, and these are the varieties we’ve found that are best for summer, with preferably part shade conditions, for growing during the hottest months.
Black Seeded Simpson LooseLeaf
DAYS: 42
The earliest and most popular loose leaf variety. Large loose light-green leaves are slightly ruffled with a light flavor. Inner leaves tender and well blanched. This heirloom was introduced by Peter Henderson & Co. of New York around 1875. This is the variety most often used in Southern Indiana recipes for Wilted Lettuce.
Resists DM and TB.
Sierra Batavian lettuce
DAYS: 50
Sierra is a red-tinged French batavian type, known for seedling vigor, and reluctance to bolt in midsummer heat. In late July when other lettuce varieties have rotted or bolted, Sierra will still be around. Crispy and tasty, the leaves grow in a compact and upright form on this head lettuce. Developed by Vilmorin in 1992.
Resists DM, tolerates LMV.
Really Red Deer Tongue
DAYS: 48
Although not among the best summer lettuces, Really Red Deer Tongue withstands the heat better than its forebears and does not bolt as readily. This variety was introduced in 2005 by the Fedco seed company, and was bred for a darker uniform color, while simulateously keeping the pointy deer tongue lettuce leaf shape.
Resistance to SC, DM, X and TB
Parris Island Cos Romaine
DAYS: 68
This lettuce variety is the standard seen in markets for a romaine type. It was developed through a joint effort by Clemson University and the USDA in 1952. Resists bolting in heat, although irrigation improves its texture. Cos is an island in the Dodecanese region of Greece where this type of lettuce was named. Parris Island is in South Carolina.
Resistant to TB
When considering lettuces to plant for a continued harvest, pay attention to the number of days listed for each variety. Some will be ready to harvest much sooner than another variety. Also, consider how much of what type of lettuce you typically, or have a goal, to eat each week. Taking both of these factors into consideration will allow you to determine how many of which variety to plant every two or three weeks.
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