Thank you seed savers of the world! There are hundreds of recorded varieties of lettuce out there, thousands even, and of those there is a select group of all stars which survive and thrive in the NC summer heat. It’s not a true summer crop, they need some extra love... just the right amount of water, shade cloth in the Deep South, and you have to germinate the seeds in cooler temps... BUT once in the ground summer crisp types like the Cherokee lettuce head pictured here, performs beautifully. Stays juicy and crisp and doesn’t bolt when temps transition from 30deg nights to 90deg days. So proud!
Pro tip for all you gardeners out there: pick varieties that want to grow in the conditions you will give it. Think about your soil composition, watering schedule, sun exposure, seasonal temperatures and find a variety that thrives in that, instead of forcing an old favorite. In my experience, healthy, happy plants taste the best and there is so much diversity out there, try something new!
Eat well y’all,
Lilly
