White Boston Butterhead Lettuce Seeds

Sowing: Butterhead lettuce seeds thrive in cooler climates, making them suitable for direct sowing when the soil temperature reaches a minimum of 2 degrees Celsius, or as soon as the soil is workable. If the soil temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius, the seeds may enter dormancy. Plant the seeds directly into rich soil and full sunlight, ensuring they are spread thinly in rows spaced 30-60 centimeters apart. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to a distance of 20-30 centimeters. To ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season, consider planting successive crops every two weeks in regions with cool summers or mild winters. For beneficial companion planting, pair Butterhead lettuce with onions, cucumbers, or carrots.

Growing: Due to its shallow root system, White Boston butter lettuce requires consistent moisture to maintain its tenderness and sweetness; thus, it is essential to keep the soil evenly moist. Mulching the soil helps retain moisture and suppress weed growth, promoting optimal lettuce growth.

Harvesting: Lettuce preserves it's refreshing sweetness most effectively when collected in the morning. For microgreens, trim the entire plant above the soil's surface once it attains a height of 5-8 centimeters. Throughout the season, continually gather outer leaves until the central stem begins to elongate, signaling the onset of bitterness in the leaves. When the plant reaches full maturity, harvest it by cutting just above the soil surface. While lettuce is most flavorful when consumed fresh, it can also be stored in the refrigerator for approximately one week.

Seed Saving: As the summer days lengthen, lettuce plants will bolt, producing flowering stalks. To ensure the preservation of desirable traits, select seeds from plants that exhibit slower bolting tendencies. Once the stalks flower and develop pods, wait until the pods turn light brown and split open. To prevent seed loss, shake the stalk heads into a bag daily. Alternatively, some seed savers opt to harvest the entire plant when the majority of pods are ripe, suspending 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," which can be removed by rubbing them against a fine mesh screen. Store the Butterhead lettuce seeds in a cool, dry location for 2-3 years.

White Boston Butterhead Lettuce Seeds
Planting Methods: Direct sowing or transplanting seedlings.
Blooming Season: Lettuce typically does not bloom; it is grown for its leaves.
Planting Season: In temperate climates, plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, or directly sow seeds after the last frost date. In warmer climates, seeds can be sown directly in the garden in early spring.
Latin Name/USDA Zones: Lactuca sativa. USDA Zones 3-11.
Sunlight Required/Height: Requires full sun to partial shade, with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Can grow up to 20-30 centimeters in height.
Shelf Life After Test Date: Typically, viable for 2-3 years if stored properly in cool, dry conditions.
Seed Type: Open-pollinated.
Soil Type: Thrives in well-draining loam soil but can tolerate clay or sandy soils with proper amendment.