Tennis Ball Lettuce (50 days, Heirloom)

When it comes to heirloom lettuce, this is one of the oldest varieties cultivated in the country. Grown at Monticello during Thomas Jefferson’s time, and one of the most popular at the turn of the century. Historically it used to be pickled in brine and served as a side. The taste and texture of this lettuce was out of this world! Silky smooth, buttery leaves melt in your mouth; one of the best tasting lettuces we have ever tried. It grows a bit bigger than a single serving size head of the similar variety Tom Thumb, cut in half makes a perfect salad for two. Compact heads work well planted close together in tighter spaces.

500 seeds  

PLANTING:

Germination- 4-10 days

Indoors- 3-4 weeks before planting outside. Sow 1/4” deep in cells with soil temps 55-70 degrees. Transplant out 8-12” apart.

Outdoors- Sow 1/4” “deep, 1” apart. Thin to 6-12”, depending on the size of lettuce you want from baby to full heads. Keep moist during germination.

Harvest- cut whole head at base or individual leaves before lettuce starts to bolts and becomes bitter in the heat and long days summer.

Tips- Plant into fertile soil with lots of organic matter and adequate water for optimum growth. Sow heavy seeded rows every 10-14 days for baby greens using the 1 oz. Pinetree Lettuce Mix for a season long supply of lettuce.