Lettuce Seeds (Organic) - Salad Bowl Green

Salad Bowl Green is a popular organic lettuce variety known for its vibrant green leaves, crisp texture, and mild, refreshing flavor. This loose-leaf variety is perfect for gardeners looking for a continuous harvest of tender, nutrient-rich lettuce throughout the growing season. It thrives in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for both spring and fall planting. Salad Bowl Green is not only easy to grow but also a versatile addition to your garden, perfect for a wide range of culinary applications.

Key Benefits

• Mild Flavor: Offers a sweet, mild flavor that is less bitter than some other lettuce varieties.
• Tender and Crisp: The leaves are tender yet crisp, making it perfect for fresh salads and garnishes.
• High Yield: Salad Bowl Green is a prolific grower, providing a steady harvest of fresh, tender leaves over time.
• Fast-Growing: This variety matures quickly, allowing for multiple harvests within a growing season.
• Cold-Tolerant: Performs well in cooler temperatures, making it suitable for early spring or fall planting.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Loose-leaf variety with soft, ruffled leaves that are light green in color. It forms a rosette rather than a tight head.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, mild, and crisp, perfect for raw applications like salads and sandwiches.
• Growth Habit: The plant grows in a dense cluster of ruffled leaves, which can be harvested continuously by picking outer leaves as they mature.
• Size: Typically grows to about 6–8 inches in height, with a spread of 10–12 inches.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Planting Time: Best planted in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest. Ideal for cooler temperatures between 55°F–75°F (13°C–24°C).
• Ideal Temperature: Prefers cool weather but can tolerate warmer temperatures in the early or late parts of the growing season.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in well-drained, fertile soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation and room to grow.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0 for optimal growth.
• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal but partial shade is acceptable in hotter climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Lettuce requires regular watering, about 1 inch per week.
• Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which could encourage disease.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer (like 10-10-10) at planting time and again when plants are 4–6 inches tall to encourage robust leaf growth.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, as it can lead to excessive leaf growth with reduced flavor.

Weeding and Mulching

• Regularly weed around lettuce plants to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
• Use mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and help suppress weeds.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch for aphids, slugs, and snails, which can damage young plants. Use organic insecticidal soap or diatomaceous earth to control pests.
• Diseases: Lettuce can be prone to downy mildew and other fungal diseases. Rotate crops each season and practice good garden hygiene to reduce disease risks.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Salad Bowl Green lettuce is ready for harvest in 40–50 days from sowing, depending on growing conditions.
• Size: Harvest individual outer leaves as soon as they are large enough to use, or wait until the entire plant reaches 6–8 inches in height.
• Method: For "cut-and-come-again" harvesting, simply snip off the outer leaves and allow the inner leaves to continue growing. You can also harvest the entire plant when mature.

Storage

• Short-Term: Store fresh lettuce in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Long-Term: Lettuce can be frozen after blanching, but freezing may affect its texture, making it better suited for cooked dishes.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Salad Bowl Green lettuce is perfect for fresh, crunchy salads. Its mild flavor complements a variety of other ingredients.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: The tender, crisp leaves add a refreshing crunch to sandwiches and wraps.
• Garnishes: Use the leaves as a garnish for plated dishes, soups, or stews.
• Smoothies: Add a handful of fresh leaves to smoothies for a mild, nutrient-packed addition.

Conclusion

Salad Bowl Green is an excellent choice for organic gardeners looking for a reliable, fast-growing, and versatile lettuce variety. With its crisp, tender leaves and mild, sweet flavor, it is perfect for fresh salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. This cold-tolerant lettuce thrives in cooler temperatures and provides a steady harvest throughout the growing season. Whether you're an experienced gardener or a beginner, Salad Bowl Green is a beautiful and delicious addition to your vegetable patch.