• Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce Seed Pack ideal for Canada planting Pack de graines de laitue à feuilles Simpson à graines noires, idéal pour la plantation au Canada
  • Fresh harvested Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce from Vegetable Garden Laitue feuille Simpson aux graines noires fraîchement récoltée du potager
  • happy kids harvesting black seeded simpson leaf lettuce in the garden des enfants heureux récoltent de la laitue feuille Simpson à graines noires dans le jardin
  • Packaging Dimensions of Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce Seed pack Dimensions d'emballage du paquet de graines de laitue à feuilles de Simpson aux graines noires
  • family happily holding a basket full of Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce in the Kitchen des enfants heureux récoltent de la laitue feuille Simpson à graines noires dans le jardin
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JNB SEED

Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce Seed

Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce Seed

$3.99 CAD
$3.99 CAD
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This cherished heirloom lettuce variant remains a favorite among numerous home vegetable gardeners. Black Seeded Simpson boasts a rapid growth rate, yielding an abundance of light-green, delicately crinkled, and succulent leaves. Its robust and upright stature makes it adaptable and resilient to various environmental conditions, including heat, drought, and frost, with an approximate maturity period of 50 days.

The introduction of Black Seeded Simpson lettuce seeds traces back to the 1870s by Peter Henderson & Co. However, its origins stem from wild lettuce, originating in Asia Minor. Herodotus, the ancient historian, documented its presence on the dining tables of 6th-century Persian monarchs, signifying its longstanding history. Over the subsequent centuries, lettuce gained popularity across Europe and was brought to the New World by Columbus, marking its spread across North America and its subsequent integration into gardens worldwide.

Labeled scientifically as Lactuca sativa, Black Seeded Simpson lettuce is a leafy green variety with a rich cultivation heritage. Its rapid growth and the yield of loose, light green leaves make it highly esteemed, particularly for incorporation into salads. These lettuce plants thrive effortlessly, whether cultivated through hydroponics or grown outdoors in traditional garden settings.

Simple to cultivate, this open-pollinated lettuce cultivar exhibits remarkable heat tolerance, rendering it an ideal option for summer cultivation. With a short maturation period of 45 to 50 days, Black Seeded Simpson lettuce is known for its versatility, accommodating indoor container gardening or direct outdoor sowing with equal ease.

Offering an array of culinary possibilities, Black Seeded Simpson lettuce produces ample loose heads of crinkled, light-green leaves with a subtly mild flavor. Its versatility allows for harvesting at any growth stage, including as baby leaves, ensuring a continuous supply of salads and sandwiches throughout the growing season.


    How To Grow

    Sowing: Black Seeded Simpson lettuce seeds thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for direct sowing when the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 2 degrees Celsius or as soon as the soil is workable. However, if the temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius, the seeds may become dormant. Plant the seeds directly in nutrient-rich soil and full sunlight, ensuring they are thinly spread in rows spaced 30-60 cm apart. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to a distance of 15-20 cm apart. To ensure a continuous supply of fresh lettuce throughout the season, consider planting successive crops every two weeks, particularly in regions with cool summers or mild winters. For beneficial companion planting, consider growing lettuce alongside onions, cucumbers, or carrots.

    Growing: Lettuce, with its shallow roots, requires consistent moisture to maintain its tenderness and sweetness, necessitating evenly moist soil. Applying mulch aids in moisture retention and weed control.

    Harvesting

    For optimal crispness and sweetness, harvest lettuce in the morning. For microgreens, harvest the entire plant above the soil surface once it reaches a height of 5-7.5 cm. Many lettuce varieties can produce subsequent crops after cutting, provided the weather remains moderate. Leaves can be harvested throughout the season until the main stem begins to elongate, resulting in bitterness. When mature, harvest the entire plant by cutting it just above the soil surface. While lettuce is best enjoyed fresh, it can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately one week.

    Seed Saving

    As summer days lengthen, lettuce may bolt, sending up a flower stalk. To ensure desirable traits, select seeds from plants that bolt slowly. After the stalk flowers and produces pods, allow the pods to turn light brown and split open. To prevent seed loss, collect the seeds by shaking the stalk into a bag daily. Alternatively, some seed savers opt to remove the entire plant when most pods are ready for harvest and hang it upside down in a sheltered area to dry. Extract the seeds from the pods by shaking or crushing them. The seeds may have white "feathers" that can be removed by rubbing them on a fine mesh screen. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years.

    Extra Facts

    Planting Methods: Indoor, Outdoor
    Blooming Season: Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce, a cool-season vegetable primarily grown for its lush leaves, typically doesn't produce conspicuous flowers, and thus, doesn't have a traditional blooming season. Instead, the focus is on harvesting the tender leaves before the plant bolts or goes to seed.
    Planting Season: Early Spring or Late Summer
    Latin Name/USDA Zones: Lactuca sativa/ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
    Sunlight Required/ Height: Full Sun/ 20-30 cm
    Shelf Life After Test Date: The shelf life of Black Seeded Simpson Leaf Lettuce seeds after the test date can vary based on storage conditions. For optimal germination rates, it's recommended to use the seeds within one to two years after the test date. Proper storage is crucial – keep the seeds in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Regularly testing a small sample of seeds for germination viability can help ensure successful plantings even beyond the suggested shelf life.
    Seed Type: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
    Soil Type: Loam Soil

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