{"product_id":"black-seeded-simpson-lettuce","title":"Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce","description":"\u003cp class=\"sc-subtitle\"\u003eHeirloom · Open-Pollinated · 45–50 days from direct seeding\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-pill\"\u003ecool-season · timing varies by zone\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-grows-label\"\u003eGrows well in\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eRaised Bed ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eIn-Ground ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eContainer\/Pot ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-container-chip\"\u003eGrow Bag ✓\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eMeet This Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Seeded Simpson is one of the fastest, most reliable lettuces you can grow. Light green, lightly crinkled leaves with a mild, juicy flavor that shows up in about six weeks and keeps coming as long as the weather cooperates. It handles more heat than most lettuces but it's still a cool-season crop at heart. Plant it early, plant it often, and it'll earn its space every single time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it tastes like:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mild, tender, and just a little sweet. No bitterness, no bite. The kind of lettuce that makes you realize how good fresh really tastes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Grow It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\" style=\"margin-top: 24px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eSun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip sun\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eFull sun in cool weather. Partial shade in warm climates helps slow bolting and keeps leaves tender longer.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-icon-row\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-row-label\"\u003eWater\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-pips\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip water\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-pip\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-icon-note\"\u003eKeep soil consistently moist. Shallow roots dry out fast. Uneven moisture makes leaves bitter and speeds up bolting.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eSowing Details\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"sc-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDepth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e⅛ inch. Barely cover with soil. Lettuce germinates best when planted shallowly.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eSpacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e6–8 inches for full leaves, closer for baby greens\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e12–18 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eThinning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e6–8 inches. Eat the thinnings.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eGermination\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e7–10 days. Stalls above 75°F.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"li-label\"\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"li-val\"\u003e45–50 days from direct seeding\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 25px; font-weight: 700; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; font-family: 'Outfit', sans-serif; color: #1A1A1A;\"\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e❄️ Cool Climates · Zones 3–6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003eFor spring, direct sow as soon as the soil can be worked, even 2–3 weeks before your last frost when daytime temperatures are consistently in the 40s to 50s°F. Lettuce handles light frost without trouble.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor fall, direct sow 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost or once daytime temperatures begin dropping below about 75°F.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuccession plant every 2 weeks in both seasons for a continuous harvest.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-header\"\u003e☀️ Warm Climates · Zones 7–11\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-zone-body\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZones 7–8\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDirect sow in early spring before temperatures climb and again in late summer once the heat breaks. Succession plant every 2 weeks. Skip midsummer planting. Soil above 75°F causes germination to stall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZones 9–11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFall through winter is your best season for lettuce. Direct sow once the heat breaks and keep succession sowing through winter.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrow Friend Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eSuccession plant or you'll have a feast and then nothing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eBlack Seeded Simpson matures fast and bolts fast. Harvesting outer leaves cut-and-come-again style stretches a single planting to 6–8 weeks, but once it bolts that's it. Sow a small row every 10–14 days through spring and again in late summer to keep a continuous supply going.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eHarvest in the morning\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eBlack Seeded Simpson wilts faster than most lettuces. Cut in the morning when leaves are cool and crisp, bring them inside quickly, and rinse in cold water. Evening-harvested leaves don't hold nearly as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eWatch the center stem\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eOnce the center stem starts to elongate and push upward, bolting is coming fast. Harvest everything you can at that point. The leaves turn bitter quickly once the plant decides it's done producing and wants to flower.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eShade cloth buys you time in warm climates\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eIf you're in a warmer zone and want to stretch the harvest, putting a shade cloth over your lettuce bed during the hottest part of the day slows bolting noticeably. It's not a permanent fix, but it gets you a few extra weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-title\"\u003eIt grows well in containers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sc-tip-body\"\u003eA pot at least 6 inches deep works fine. Good for balconies, patios, or keeping lettuce close to the kitchen. Just water more frequently than you would in ground. Containers dry out fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-companions\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-companion-label\"\u003eCompanion plants\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eCarrots\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eRadishes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eStrawberries\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eChives\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eGarlic\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-tag\"\u003eNasturtium\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvest \u0026amp; What to Do With It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen it's ready\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOuter leaves are ready to pick at 4–5 inches long. Full-size plants are ready at 45–50 days when they're 6–8 inches across with dense, frilly leaves. Don't wait too long. Once the center starts to elongate, flavor drops fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to harvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor cut-and-come-again, cut outer leaves about an inch above the soil line and leave the center intact. For the whole plant, cut at soil level. One clean cut and you're done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYield\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne planting gives you a short harvest window, maybe a couple of weeks before it bolts and runs its course. Sow another row every 10–14 days and you'll always have something coming in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShort-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse, spin dry, wrap in a dry paper towel, and refrigerate in a bag. Keeps 7–10 days. Lettuce this fresh doesn't last long and doesn't need to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLong-term storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eFreezing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Lettuce is mostly water. Freezing destroys the texture completely. Not worth it.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eDehydrating:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Technically possible as a powder but not practical or useful for most home cooks.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003ePressure canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Not safe and not appropriate for lettuce.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eWater bath canning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Lettuce is not a canning crop.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003ePickling:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Doesn't hold up. Not recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sc-storage-item\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-no\"\u003e❌\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-name\"\u003eRoot cellaring:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"sc-storage-note\"\u003e Doesn't apply.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to cook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaw is the whole point. Salads, sandwiches, wraps, grain bowls. The mild, sweet flavor and tender texture are what make Black Seeded Simpson worth growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed Storage \u0026amp; Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"sc-seed-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVariety\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Seeded Simpson Lettuce\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom · Open-Pollinated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e~500 seeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:16px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStoring unused seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Viable up to 4 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lettuce is self-pollinating, which makes it one of the easier crops to save seed from. Let a few plants bolt and flower. Once the seed heads dry and turn yellowish-tan, cut the stalks, shake seeds into a bag, remove the chaff, and store in a cool and dark place. Collect from the slowest-bolting plants to select for that trait over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Sow Chaotic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43810648293454,"sku":null,"price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/3630\/6254\/files\/5.png?v=1786456053","url":"https:\/\/sowchaotic.com\/products\/black-seeded-simpson-lettuce","provider":"Sow Chaotic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}