Lettuce Types For Every Season

There are lettuce types for every season in the garden. I get a lot of lettuce questions from customers who come into the Farm Store all year long.

You will want to start out with fresh lettuce seed from David's Garden Seeds®.

Different lettuce types can make a great salad.

Lettuce Types For Every Season - 9/15-9/21/2025

You're standing in your backyard, looking at that perfect sunny spot where you want to grow fresh, crispy lettuce all year long. The good news? You absolutely can! Growing lettuce from seeds in your own backyard is one of the most rewarding gardening experiences you'll ever have, and I'm here to walk you through everything you need to know about lettuce types for every season to grow from seed.

This is Buttercrunch, a butterhead lettuce.

Let me start by sharing something that changed my gardening game forever. When I first started growing lettuce, I thought all lettuce was the same – boy, was I wrong! There are actually seven main types of lettuce, each with its own personality, growing requirements, and perfect planting season.

The seven lettuce superstars you need to know are butterhead, romaine, loose leaf, iceberg, bibb, oakleaf, and summer crisp. Each one brings something special to your garden and your dinner table, and understanding their differences will help you choose the right varieties for each season. Each kind of lettuce has many varieties and David's Garden Seeds® has the seeds for all of them.

This is a popular romaine lettuce, Paris White Cos.

Before we dive into the specifics, let's talk about the big picture. If you live in a warm climate like Texas, you're incredibly lucky because you can grow lettuce year-round with the right variety selection and timing. The key is matching the right lettuce type to the right season.

Spring is your lettuce paradise season. This is when you can grow almost any type of lettuce successfully because the temperatures are mild and the days are getting longer. Spring temperatures between 45° and 75°F create the perfect conditions for most lettuce varieties to thrive. But beware because in Texas, it can jump up to 100° in spring very quickly. That is when most varieties are over for the season!

This is a loose leaf lettuce called New Red Fire.

For spring planting, you'll want to start your seeds about 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost date. In most areas, this means starting seeds indoors in late February or early March, then transplanting outside once the soil can be worked and temperatures consistently stay above freezing.

Summer lettuce growing is where things get tricky, but it's absolutely doable with the right approach. The challenge is that most lettuce varieties bolt (go to seed) quickly in hot weather, making the leaves bitter and inedible.

This is Nevada summer crisp lettuce, which is more heat tolerant than most other lettuce types.

This is where summer crisp lettuce becomes your best friend. Summer crisp varieties are specifically bred to handle heat better than other types, making them perfect for those scorching summer months when you're craving fresh salad greens.

Fall is another fantastic season for growing lettuce. The cooling temperatures and shorter days actually improve the flavor of many lettuce varieties, making them sweeter and more tender than their spring counterparts.

Winter lettuce growing might sound impossible, but in warmer climates, it's actually one of the best times to grow certain varieties. Cold-hardy lettuces like some romaine and butterhead types can handle light frosts and even improve in flavor after exposure to cool weather.

This is Deer Tongue which is a bibb lettuce.

Now, let's talk about the fundamental difference between head lettuce and loose leaf lettuce, because this choice will dramatically impact your gardening strategy and harvest timeline.

Head lettuce varieties form tight, compact heads that you harvest all at once. Think iceberg, butterhead, and some romaine varieties. These take longer to mature – usually 70-100 days from seed – but they give you that satisfying whole-head harvest experience.

Loose leaf lettuce, on the other hand, doesn't form heads at all. Instead, it produces individual leaves that you can harvest continuously throughout the growing season. Varieties like oakleaf and many loose leaf types fall into this category, and they're ready to harvest in just 40 to 50 days.

This is a type of oakleaf lettuce called Lollo Rossa.

The beauty of loose leaf lettuce is that you can practice "cut and come again" harvesting. You simply cut the outer leaves when they're big enough to eat, and the plant keeps producing new leaves from the center. It's like having a lettuce factory in your backyard!

Let's dive deep into butterhead lettuce, one of my personal favorites. Butterhead lettuce gets its name from its incredibly soft, buttery-textured leaves that practically melt in your mouth. The heads are loose and rounded, with tender outer leaves protecting an even more delicate heart.

Popular butterhead varieties include Boston and Bibb lettuce (yes, Bibb is actually a type of butterhead!). These varieties prefer cool weather and are perfect for spring and fall planting. In warmer climates, you can grow them through winter as well.

Plant butterhead lettuce seeds in early spring, about 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost date. The seeds can handle light frosts, but the mature plants prefer temperatures between 60-70°F. In fall, plant them about 10 to 12 weeks before your first expected frost.

Romaine lettuce is the tall, sturdy backbone of Caesar salads everywhere. These upright plants form elongated heads with thick, crunchy ribs and slightly bitter leaves that add fantastic texture and flavor to salads and sandwiches.

This lettuce is called Great Lakes Mesa and is an iceberg lettuce.

What makes romaine special is its versatility. Some varieties are heat-tolerant enough for summer growing, while others are incredibly cold-hardy and can survive harsh winter conditions. This makes romaine one of the best choices for year-round lettuce production.

For spring romaine, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost, or direct sow 2-4 weeks before the last frost. Summer varieties should be planted in late spring for summer harvest, while fall romaine can be planted in late summer for autumn and early winter harvests.

Loose leaf lettuce is the speed demon of the lettuce world. These varieties don't form heads at all, instead producing beautiful, ruffled leaves in a variety of colors from deep red to bright green, sometimes even speckled or freckled patterns.

The biggest advantage of loose leaf varieties is their quick maturity – you can be harvesting baby leaves in as little as 30 days from planting. They're also more heat-tolerant than head lettuces, making them excellent choices for succession planting throughout the growing season.

Plant loose leaf lettuce every 2-3 weeks from early spring through fall for continuous harvests. In summer, choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide some afternoon shade to prevent bolting.

Iceberg lettuce is probably what most people picture when they think "lettuce." These form tight, round heads with crispy, pale green leaves and a satisfying crunch. However, iceberg is also the most challenging lettuce to grow successfully.

Iceberg lettuce is extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations and requires a long, cool growing season to form proper heads. It needs about 80-90 days of consistent cool weather, making it primarily a spring and fall crop in most climates.

If you're determined to grow iceberg, start seeds indoors in late winter for spring harvest, or in mid to late summer for fall harvest. The key is timing your planting so the heads mature during the coolest part of the season.

Bibb lettuce deserves special attention because it's often confused with other butterhead varieties. True Bibb lettuce forms small, compact heads with dark green outer leaves and a creamy yellow heart. The texture is incredibly tender and the flavor is mild and sweet.

Bibb lettuce is perfect for small-space gardening because the heads only reach about 6 inches across. It's also one of the most cold-tolerant lettuce varieties, making it excellent for fall and winter growing in milder climates.

Plant Bibb lettuce in early spring for late spring harvest, or in late summer for fall and early winter harvests. The plants can handle light frosts and actually improve in flavor after exposure to cool weather.

Oakleaf lettuce gets its name from its distinctive lobed leaves that resemble oak tree leaves. This loose leaf variety comes in both green and red versions, with the red varieties adding beautiful color contrast to your garden and salad bowl.

One of the best things about oakleaf lettuce is its heat tolerance. While not as heat-resistant as summer crisp varieties, oakleaf can handle warmer weather better than most other lettuce types, making it a great choice for extended season growing.

Plant oakleaf lettuce in early spring and continue succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks through early summer. In warmer climates, you can resume planting in late summer for fall harvests that can continue through winter.

Summer crisp lettuce, also known as Batavian lettuce, is your secret weapon for hot weather lettuce growing. These varieties combine the heat tolerance you need for summer growing with the satisfying crunch of iceberg lettuce.

Summer crisp varieties form loose heads with thick, crispy leaves that can handle heat without bolting quickly. They're perfect for those summer months when you're craving fresh lettuce but traditional varieties would wilt in the heat.

Plant summer crisp lettuce in late spring for summer harvest, and again in late summer for fall harvest. These varieties typically take 55 to 70 days to mature, so plan your planting accordingly.

Now let's talk about seasonal planting strategies. Spring is your easiest season for growing lettuce because the mild temperatures and increasing daylight create ideal conditions for most varieties.

For spring planting, start cool-season varieties like butterhead, romaine, and loose leaf lettuce indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. You can also direct sow these varieties 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, as lettuce seeds can germinate in soil temperatures as low as 35°F.

Summer lettuce growing requires a different approach. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties like summer crisp and certain loose leaf types. Provide afternoon shade using shade cloth or plant in locations that get morning sun but afternoon protection.

The key to successful summer lettuce is succession planting. Plant small amounts every 2 to 3 weeks rather than one large planting, and harvest frequently to prevent bolting. Keep the soil consistently moist and consider using mulch to keep roots cool.

Fall lettuce planting is often overlooked, but it produces some of the best-tasting lettuce you'll ever grow. Cool weather concentrates the sugars in lettuce leaves, making them sweeter and more flavorful than spring crops.

Start fall lettuce seeds in late summer, about 10 to 14 weeks before your first expected hard frost. The exact timing depends on your variety choice – quick-maturing loose leaf types can be planted later than slow-growing head lettuces.

Winter lettuce growing is possible in warmer climates and can extend your harvest season significantly. Choose cold-hardy varieties like certain romaine and butterhead types, and consider using row covers or cold frames for extra protection.

When deciding between head lettuce and loose leaf varieties, consider your gardening goals and eating habits. Head lettuces provide that satisfying whole-head harvest and store well in the refrigerator, but they take longer to mature and give you just one harvest per plant.

Loose leaf varieties, on the other hand, give you multiple harvests from each plant and mature quickly. They're perfect if you want fresh lettuce leaves for daily salads or if you're working with limited garden space.

For backyard lettuce production, I recommend starting with a mix of both types. Plant some quick-maturing loose leaf varieties for immediate gratification and continuous harvests, plus some head lettuces for those special salad occasions.

Soil preparation is crucial for successful lettuce growing. Lettuce prefers loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Work compost or aged manure into your planting area, and ensure the pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.

When you grow lettuce from seeds, proper spacing is essential. Head lettuces need more space – about 8 to 12 inches between plants – while loose leaf varieties can be planted closer together, about 4 to 6 inches apart.

Watering is critical for lettuce success. These plants need consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions. Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth, and try to water at soil level to prevent leaf diseases.

Fertilizing lettuce is straightforward – these plants are light feeders that respond well to nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Apply a balanced fertilizer at planting time, then side-dress with nitrogen every 3 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Pest management for lettuce includes watching for aphids, slugs, and cutworms. Row covers can prevent many pest problems, especially in young plants. Companion planting with herbs like basil and chives can also help deter pests naturally.

Harvesting techniques vary by lettuce type. For head lettuces, wait until the heads feel firm when gently squeezed, then cut at soil level with a sharp knife. For loose leaf varieties, harvest outer leaves when they're 4 to 6 inches long, leaving the center to continue growing.

Storage and preservation of your homegrown lettuce is simple but important. Wash harvested leaves in cold water, spin or pat dry, and store in the refrigerator in perforated plastic bags. Most lettuce will stay fresh for 5 to 7 days when properly stored.

Succession planting is your key to continuous lettuce harvests. Plant new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the growing season, adjusting varieties based on the season and expected weather conditions.

Troubleshooting common lettuce problems includes dealing with bolting (going to seed prematurely), which is usually caused by heat stress or inconsistent watering. Choose appropriate varieties for your season and maintain consistent growing conditions.

Container growing is an excellent option for backyard lettuce production, especially if you have limited space or poor soil. Use containers at least 6 to 8 inches deep for loose leaf varieties, or 10 to 12 inches deep for head lettuces.

Remember, growing lettuce types for every season from seed is a journey of discovery. Start with varieties that match your climate and season, keep detailed records of what works best in your garden, and don't be afraid to experiment with new varieties each season. Your backyard can become a year-round source of fresh, delicious lettuce with the right planning and variety selection.

Monday, September 15, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Good morning. Well, I had a rough night and then I woke up late. My bread did not rise enough to bake it last night so I put it in the fridge. At 4am when I was up and moving to the couch, I took the sourdough out of the fridge to let it rise some more.

At 7:30am, I put it in the pan and will soon bake the bread.

I made some eggs with mushrooms and potatoes this morning for breakfast. They were delicious. I baked the bread.

We have a new assistant who is part time. She came in and worked for four hours. Another one was maybe supposed to come but when I texted, she was busy.

It is now 2pm and I have been doing all sorts of Monday things. I have about one half of a mailbag filled with orders but I need to go pull some orders. That is what the second assistant was supposed to be doing today. There are about 86 left and we all know I won't get those pulled and closed today before the mailman gets here. Mondays are always our busiest days which is why it would be great to have someone here to pull orders then.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Friday, September 19, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - Lettuce Types For Every Season

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