Iceberg Batavian Lettuce Seeds

Sow Lactuca Sativa seeds directly outdoors as soon as the soil is workable in early spring — lettuce is frost-tolerant and there is no reason to wait for warm weather. Sow ½ inch deep and keep the surface consistently moist. Iceberg Batavian Lettuce seeds germinate in 7–14 days. Thin seedlings to 8–12 inches apart once they are established, with rows 12–24 inches apart. For a continuous harvest sow a new short row every two weeks through the cool season.

Full sun works best, but partial shade is actually useful in warmer climates. An hour or two of afternoon shade slows bolting noticeably and keeps heads forming tighter. Soil should be rich and well-drained with plenty of organic matter worked in before planting. Iceberg Batavian Lettuce is shallow-rooted, and it cannot tolerate dry spells. Dry periods cause bitterness, but waterlogged soil causes rot at the crown. Keep moisture even, mulch around the base to hold it in, and water in the morning rather than evening to reduce the risk of fungal issues. This is not a drought-tolerant crop and it does not recover well from repeated drying out.

If the soil was well-prepared, lettuce needs little feeding during the growing period — a light nitrogen application two to three weeks after thinning is usually enough. Harvest outer leaves as the plant develops, or let the head firm fully and cut it at the base. Harvest lettuce early in the morning, as it is the time the leaves hold more moisture and crispness. Iceberg Batavian holds its quality after cutting longer than most summer crisp lettuce varieties, which matters if you are growing for market or want to harvest ahead of a busy week.