Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson

What Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson is

Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson (Lactuca sativa) is an annual vegetable of the Asteraceae family. This is a tall, large, crunchy variety with light green crinkled leaves, giving a perfect lettuce.

Easy to grow, it takes about 10 weeks from sowing to reach full size.

Pick a few outer leaves at a time and it will keep producing for about 8-10 weeks.

Simpson lettuce is slow to bolt, but good watering in dry conditions will help it keep performing well.

The young leaves have an excellent flavour, a crunchy and tender texture, and contain protein, sugars, provitamin A, B vitamins, vitamins C, E and K, and minerals (such as calcium and potassium).

Lettuce and salad are the foundation of the spring table — crisp, fresh and quick. With the right variety and sowing in several batches, you have fresh salad from March to November.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 90%
• Seeds per packet: 1020–1380 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: February – September; direct or as seedlings
• Harvest: March – November
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson

Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson seeds are sown in February – September. Harvest takes place from March to November. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 0.5 cm (the seeds like light)
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 4–8 days at 12–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Simpson lettuce can be sown from January to October, but early and late sowings should be made in a greenhouse and given extra protection. January sowings will be ready from May onwards, and sowings from September to October will be ready the following spring. Lettuce sown in July may struggle to germinate if it is too hot! Lettuce is hardy and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. Can be sown directly, 3 seeds in rows 20-30 cm apart. or grown as seedlings 3-4 weeks before planting out. Cover the seeds lightly with about 1 cm of fine soil and firm lightly. Thin to one plant per position, which will ensure a full spacing of 30 cm. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh lettuce. The seeds germinate even at a soil temperature of 4°C, but poorly above 22°C. In dry weather, keep the soil moist.

Sow shallowly — the seeds germinate better in the light. Above 25 °C germination stops and the plants bolt; in summer, sow in partial shade. Water regularly.

Harvest and use

Harvest whole heads when they are firm, or cut individual leaves in the case of leaf varieties.

Frequently asked questions

When should Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are February – September. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 1020–1380 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 90%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why does lettuce bolt?

From heat and long days. Sow in spring and autumn, and in summer use bolt-resistant varieties and partial shade.

How often should lettuce be sown?

Every 2–3 weeks — that way you have a continuous fresh harvest.