Iceberg lettuce is truly one iconic variety. First known as ‘’crisphead,’’ this heirloom was developed and introduced by the Burpee Seed Company in 1894. The cabbage-looking lettuce was first appreciated amongst gardeners for its crispness and mild flavour.
It was only back in the 1930s that Bruce Church, the owner of an ice company in Salinas, California, began shipping ‘’crisphead’’ lettuce across the country by train covered in ice in wooden crates. The sudden all-year-round supply of fresh lettuce to the east coast and northern states propelled the lettuce to appear on menus of the most exclusive restaurants and was paired with the best champagnes. All the way up to Maine, when the trains would pull up, the folks would excitedly shout. ‘’ The icebergs are coming! The icebergs are coming! ‘’ And the name has stuck since. Before then, people had to rely more heavily on what they could grow and preserve themselves from their own garden.
Iceberg lettuce is a slow to bolt crop that performs well even in warm weather conditions. The medium-sized heads are compact and crisp, with dark green outer leaves and a crispy creamy green interior. Iceberg lettuce is resistant to rib discoloration and tip burn. A timeless classic and a great conversation piece in the garden!
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Lettuce is the cornerstone of many great salads. And with so many varieties to choose from, why not grow your own and make a custom greens mix?
Lettuce seeds can be directly sown as soon as the garden can be worked and the soil reaches at least 4°C. Seeds will germinate best between 13 and 18°C. If you want to get a head start, seeds may be started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Plant in flats 1 cm deep, every 3 cm. Thin seedlings to 25 cm apart when they have 3-4 true leaves.
Lettuce likes sunny spots, but will tolerate some shade, especially in the hot summer months. Make sure the soil is loose and well drained. If sowing directly, pay extra attention to the consistency of the soil. Because of the seed’s small size, the bed should be well tilled and free of any debris. Transplant when seedlings have 4-6 true leaves and a well-established root system. Water thoroughly after transplanting.
Spacing in the garden is dependent on the type and variety of lettuce. If leaves become wilted, you can be sure that water is needed. Sprinkle the leaves with water anytime of day and keep the soil evenly moist. If needed, use row covers or shade cloth to shelter from the sun and prevent drying out. You can also map out the garden so that the lettuce will be shaded by some taller crops.
Mulch around the plants to keep the shallow roots cool and moist. If weeds do emerge among the lettuce, promptly and carefully remove them. Don’t let heads surpass their readiness date, leaves will become tough and bitter. Refer to the specific instructions for your variety.
Loose leaf, butterhead and romaine types can be harvested by collecting the outer leaves and allowing the centre to continue growing. Crisp head lettuces should be cut whole when the heads are full and dense. The morning is the best time to harvest, leaves will be crisp and fresh.
QUICK FACTS
- Lettuce was first cultivated in ancient Egypt for the production of oil from its seeds. This plant was then selectively bred by the Egyptians for its edible leaves as early as 3,000 BC. The domestication of lettuce over the millenniums has resulted in several changes: delayed bolting, larger seeds, larger leaves and heads, better taste and texture, and different leaf shapes and colours.
- Lettuce is a cool-weather crop so it needs partial shade during the hot summer months or the leaves need to be misted on hot days.
- Allow enough space between the seeds to grow as overcrowding can cause lettuce to turn bitter.
- There are four main types of lettuces: crisphead, butterhead, romaine and loose-leaf.
- Lettuce seeds will remain viable for 4 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
