Lettuce Seeds - Buttercrunch Butterhead - Lactuca sativa

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11: Grows as a cool-season annual across all zones. Planting times are critical and must be scheduled so the lettuce matures before the arrival of high summer heat (consistent temperatures above 75-80 degrees F), which causes lettuce to bolt (go to seed) and turn bitter.

Best Performance (Cool/Northern Zones 2-7): Thrives in the cool weather of spring and fall. Plant in very early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, often 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Plant again in mid-to-late summer for a robust fall harvest that can easily tolerate light frosts.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11): This is an ideal fall, winter, and early spring crop in these regions. Plant in the fall and harvest throughout the mild winter. Avoid planting in late spring or summer, as the heat will cause immediate bolting, even with this variety's heat tolerance.

Soil Temperature: Requires cool soil for germination, ideally between 50-70 degrees F. Germination will be slow, erratic, or fail entirely in soils warmer than 75 degrees F.

Growing Season: Requires 55-65 days of cool weather to reach full maturity. Buttercrunch's famous bolt resistance helps it tolerate brief warm spells better than other lettuces, but it will not produce well in sustained summer heat.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:

Spring: Direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked, typically 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date. Lettuce is frost-tolerant and thrives in cool spring weather.

Fall: For a fantastic second crop, sow seeds in late summer (about 6-8 weeks before your average first fall frost). The plants will mature during the cool, shortening days of autumn, resulting in sweet, crisp heads.

Indoors: For an extra-early start, sow seeds indoors in trays 3-4 weeks before your last frost date and transplant outdoors when seedlings are 2-3 inches tall.

Where to Plant:

Sunlight: Lettuce prefers full sun during the cool weather of spring and fall. If you are trying to extend the harvest as temperatures rise, planting in a location with partial afternoon shade is highly beneficial and will help delay bolting.

Soil: Plant in loose, rich, well-drained soil. Lettuce does best in soil amended with plenty of aged compost.

Soil pH: Prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

How to Plant:

Depth: Lettuce seeds need light to germinate. This is critical. Plant seeds no more than 1/8 inch deep, or simply rake them into the soil surface and press down gently to ensure good soil contact.

Spacing: Sow seeds about 1 inch apart in rows that are 12-18 inches apart.

Germination: Seeds will sprout in 7-10 days in cool, moist soil (50-70 degrees F).

Growing and Care:

Thinning: This is essential for forming heads. Once seedlings are 2-3 inches tall, thin them to stand 8-10 inches apart. You can eat the delicious thinnings as baby greens.

Watering: Lettuce has shallow roots and requires consistent, even moisture. Do not let the soil dry out. Drought stress will cause bitterness and trigger bolting. Water at the base of the plant.

Mulching: Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch (such as straw or shredded leaves) around the plants to retain soil moisture, keep the soil cool, and keep the leaves clean.

Fertilizing: As a fast-growing leafy green, lettuce benefits from a mid-season feeding with a nitrogen-rich liquid fertilizer (like fish emulsion or compost tea) to promote lush, tender growth.

Harvesting:

Cut-and-Come-Again: You can begin harvesting individual outer leaves at any time once they are large enough to eat. The inner heart will continue to grow and produce.

Full Head: Harvest the entire head by cutting the plant off at the soil line when the central head is firm and well-formed (about 55-65 days), but before a central flower stalk begins to shoot up. Harvest in the morning for the crispest leaves.