MiniBlog: Lettuce Plant Your Own Salad Bowl

What It Is

Lettuce is one of the most versatile and easy-to-grow vegetables in the garden, especially when you're selecting the right varieties to suit your climate and growing conditions. This year, we're featuring some fantastic lettuce options, including heat-tolerant varieties like Parris Island Cos as well as crisp Buttercrunch, vibrant Red Oak Leaf, and our Mix Salad Bowl for those looking to plant a diverse and colorful salad garden. These started plants are perfect for gardeners who want to skip the early germination stage and dive right into growing fresh, flavorful greens.

Why Grow Lettuce?

Lettuce is a fast-growing crop that thrives in both the ground and containers, making it ideal for both traditional gardens and smaller spaces. It's the perfect vegetable for those looking to create a salad garden, as you can grow a variety of types for different textures and flavors. Whether you want something mild and buttery like Buttercrunch, hearty and crisp like Romaine Parris Island Cos, or vibrant and peppery like Red Oak Leaf, lettuce offers versatility in the kitchen.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties – Parris Island Cos

One of our standout varieties this year is the Romaine Parris Island Cos, a heat-tolerant romaine lettuce. This variety performs well even as temperatures rise, without the bitter flavor or tendency to bolt that other lettuces can experience. Parris Island Cos produces long, crisp leaves that are perfect for hearty salads and wraps.

Other Varieties to Consider

• Buttercrunch: A butterhead variety known for its smooth, tender leaves that have a mild, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for light, delicate salads.

• Red Oak Leaf: This variety features beautiful, deep red leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s a great way to add color and texture to your salad mixes.

• Mix Salad Bowl: A pre-mixed selection of various lettuce varieties, offering a blend of colors and flavors. Perfect for creating a quick, vibrant salad garden.

How to Grow Lettuce

Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, but the heat-tolerant varieties like Parris Island Cos can handle some of the warmer months. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil, and should be kept consistently moist. For a "salad bowl" garden, space your plants about 6-8 inches apart to allow for proper growth. You can also grow lettuce in containers or raised beds for easier maintenance, especially in smaller spaces. Be sure to mulch around your plants to keep the soil cool and help retain moisture. Aim to give your lettuces sun in the morning but shade in afternoon to keep them from bolting as long as possible.

When to Plant and Harvest

Plant your lettuce as early as possible in the spring, as it grows best in cooler temperatures. Parris Island Cos and other heat-tolerant varieties can be planted later in the spring for a summer harvest. Lettuce grows quickly, and you can begin harvesting leaves as soon as they’re large enough to use—typically about 4-6 weeks after planting. Harvest outer leaves for a "cut-and-come-again" method or pull the whole plant when it’s mature.

Fun Facts

• Parris Island Cos was developed by the USDA in the 1940s for its ability to withstand heat and resist bolting.

• Lettuce has been grown for thousands of years, and was prized by the ancient Egyptians for its cool, crisp texture.

• Lettuce was once believed to have medicinal properties and was used to help calm nerves and aid digestion.

• Buttercrunch is often recommended for people growing lettuce in containers, as it adapts well to the restricted space and produces a dense, compact head.

Growing a variety of lettuce in your garden or containers is a rewarding experience, offering a mix of textures, colors, and flavors for fresh salads throughout the growing season. Whether you’re enjoying the sweetness of Buttercrunch, the crispness of Parris Island Cos, or the vibrant color of Red Oak Leaf, these lettuce varieties will help you build the perfect "salad bowl" garden.