Lactuca sativa (42 days) Open-pollinated. The earliest and most popular looseleaf variety. “One of our absolute favorites for early season production with heads up to 16" diameter,” says NY market lettuce grower Lisa Bloodnick. Large loose crumpled juicy light-green leaves slightly ruffled and blistered. Inner leaves tender and well blanched. Does not stand heat well; sow as early as ground can be worked. Probably originally from England circa 1850, this heirloom was introduced by Peter Henderson & Co. of New York around 1875. Showed some tolerance to germination in warm temperatures. Resists DM and TB. ②
This item is certified organic
2712
Black Seeded Simpson
- Organic
Additional Information
Lettuce
700–1100 seeds/g.
Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.
Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.
Hardy. All save icebergs tolerate heavy frost. Fall and overwintered harvests are becoming standard practice. For summer harvest, select varieties carefully: bolting, bottom rot and tipburn are problems if a variety can’t take the heat! Using shade cloth can keep lettuce tender and sweet longer into summer. Sesquiterpene lactones produced in the latex render lettuce bitter when it bolts.
Saving Seed: Saving lettuce seed is easy! Leave spring-planted lettuce heads to bolt. Flowers will become white tufted seeds. Once dry on stalk, rub seeds off the plant into a paper bag. To ensure true-to-type seed, separate lettuce varieties by 10 feet.
Diseases:
BOR: Bottom Rot
DM: Downy Mildew
LMV: Lettuce Mosaic Virus
PM: Powdery Mildew
SC: Sclerotinia
TB: Tipburn
X: Xanthemonas
Pest: Aster Leafhopper (vector for Aster Yellows disease) Cultural controls: control perennial broadleaf weeds near lettuce plantings, plow lettuce fields immediately after harvest.
Pest: Slug Cultural controls: avoid mulch or nearby grassy areas. Material: Sluggo
Disease: Bottom Rot Cultural controls: rotate with grass-family green manures, plant in well-drained soil or on raised beds, more upright varieties escape infection.
Major Diseases: Downy Mildew, Grey Mold, White Mold Cultural controls: rotation, reduce duration of leaf wetness, plant parallel to prevailing winds, use wide spacing, control weeds, use well-drained fields in spring and fall. Material controls: MilStop
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
This item is certified organic