Summer Colors Blend Bibb Lettuce Seeds
Summer Colors Blend Bibb Lettuce Seeds
Summer Bibb Lettuce is a butterhead type of lettuce, prized for the heavy compact heads, superb flavor and heat resistance. The center leaves blanch to light color with a buttery texture and rich flavor. The outer leaves are crisp and juicy.
Bibb butterhead lettuce seeds offer ease of cultivation, thriving in both warm and cool conditions. They exhibit resilience to heat while maintaining rapid growth even in cooler temperatures. Renowned for their abundant yields and delightful taste with a crisp texture, these lettuce plants can grace your salad bowl in just 55 days.
Originating from Lt. Jack B. Bibb's experimentation in horticulture within his Frankfurt, Kentucky greenhouse in 1935, this unique lettuce variety combines characteristics of both leaf lettuce and iceberg lettuce. Lt. Bibb's innovative efforts resulted in the creation of this famous lettuce cultivar, which has since become synonymous with traditional salad offerings at the Kentucky Derby. Due to the high lime content in Kentucky soil, Bibb lettuce is sometimes referred to as "limestone lettuce."
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How To Grow
How To Grow
Sowing: Begin sowing Bibb butterhead lettuce seeds when the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 2°C, or when the soil is workable. Ensure direct sowing in rich soil and full sunlight. Spread the seeds thinly in rows spaced 30-60 centimeters apart. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to a distance of 20-30 centimeters apart. To ensure a continuous harvest, sow new crops every two weeks, especially in regions with cool summers or mild winters. For companion planting benefits, consider growing lettuce alongside onions, cucumbers, or carrots.
Growing: Lettuce, with its shallow roots, requires consistent moisture to maintain its tenderness and sweetness. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppresses weed growth.
Harvesting
Harvesting
Harvesting: For optimal sweetness and crispness, harvest Bibb lettuce in the morning. For microgreens, cut the entire plant above the soil surface when it reaches a height of 5-7 centimeters. Continuously harvest outer leaves throughout the season until the main stem starts to elongate, indicating bitterness. When mature, harvest the entire plant by cutting it just above the soil surface. Fresh lettuce is best, but it can be refrigerated for up to a week.
Seed Saving
Seed Saving
Seed Saving: As summer days lengthen, lettuce may bolt, sending up a flowering stalk. To ensure desirable traits, collect seeds from plants slow to bolt. After the stalk flowers and produces pods, wait for the pods to turn light brown and split open. To prevent seed loss, shake the stalk's head daily into a bag. Alternatively, remove the entire plant when most pods are ready, hanging it upside down in a sheltered area to dry. Shake the seeds from the pods or crush them by hand. Remove any white "feathers" from the seeds by rubbing them on a fine mesh screen. Store Bibb butterhead lettuce seeds in a cool, dry place for 2-3 years.
Extra Facts
Extra Facts
Summer Colors Blend Bibb Lettuce Seeds
Planting Methods: Direct sow the seeds when the soil temperature reaches at least 2°C.
Blooming Season: Not applicable (lettuce is typically grown for its leaves rather than its flowers).
Planting Season: Spring or fall, depending on the local climate.
Latin Name/USDA Zones: Lactuca sativa (suitable for various USDA zones depending on the specific cultivars included in the blend).
Sunlight Required/ Height: Full sunlight to partial shade; height varies depending on the specific cultivars included in the blend.
Shelf Life After Test Date: Varies depending on storage conditions, but generally around 2-3 years.
Seed Type: Open-pollinated.
Soil Type: Suitable for loam, clay, or sandy soil types.