Lettuce Seeds - Buttercrunch

Buttercrunch Lettuce is a popular, tender, and flavorful variety that produces crisp, sweet leaves with a delightful butter-like texture. Its compact, rosette-shaped head and mild, refreshing taste make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Known for its resistance to bolting in warmer temperatures, Buttercrunch is ideal for spring and fall planting. With its quick growth and versatile culinary uses, this lettuce is perfect for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes.

Key Benefits

• Tender, Crisp Leaves: Offers a buttery, smooth texture that’s perfect for fresh consumption.
• Mild, Sweet Flavor: Provides a delicate sweetness without any bitterness, making it a favorite for salads.
• Heat-Resistant: More resistant to bolting than other lettuce varieties, making it ideal for warmer climates or late summer planting.
• Compact Growth Habit: Forms a small, dense head, which is great for small gardens or containers.
• Quick-Growing: Ready for harvest in just 50–60 days, providing a fast turnaround from planting to table.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Forms compact, rosette-shaped heads with soft, tender leaves that are light green to pale yellow at the center.
• Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet flavor with a soft, buttery texture that’s perfect for fresh use.
• Growth Habit: Compact, dense growth makes it ideal for smaller spaces or container gardening.
• Size: Typically grows 6–8 inches in height, with a spread of 8–10 inches across.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Planting Time: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost date or sow directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.
• Temperature: Prefers cooler temperatures between 50°F–75°F (10°C–24°C), making it ideal for spring or fall planting.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep, either in seed trays or directly into garden soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart in rows 10–12 inches apart for adequate airflow and room to grow.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers rich, well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
• Sunlight: Buttercrunch Lettuce thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, especially during hotter months.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Buttercrunch Lettuce requires consistent moisture to maintain its tender texture.
• Water about 1 inch per week, more during dry spells or hot weather.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced, organic fertilizer at planting time to encourage strong leaf growth.
• Fertilize again when plants are about 4–6 inches tall to maintain healthy, vigorous growth.

Weeding and Mulching

• Weed regularly to prevent competition for nutrients and water. Be careful not to disturb the shallow roots.
• Mulch around the base of the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Watch out for common pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic pest control methods such as neem oil or diatomaceous earth.
• Diseases: Buttercrunch Lettuce can be susceptible to fungal diseases like downy mildew. Ensure proper spacing for good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Buttercrunch Lettuce is ready to harvest in 50–60 days, depending on growing conditions.
• Size: Harvest when the head forms a compact, dense rosette. Typically, the head will reach 6–8 inches in height.
• Method: Harvest the entire head or pick individual outer leaves as needed. For continuous harvest, pick the outer leaves, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.

Storage

• Short-Term: Store harvested lettuce in the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag or container for up to a week.
• Long-Term: Lettuce is best used fresh, but it can be frozen for longer storage. Keep in mind that freezing will affect its texture, so it’s best used in cooked dishes.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Adds a sweet, buttery crunch to fresh salads.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Perfect for adding a mild, crisp layer to sandwiches, wraps, or burgers.
• Tacos and Burritos: Great for adding fresh texture and flavor to tacos or burritos.
• Garnishes: Use as a fresh garnish for a variety of dishes.

Conclusion

Buttercrunch Lettuce is a delicious, easy-to-grow variety that is perfect for gardeners looking for a tender, sweet lettuce with a smooth, buttery texture. Its resistance to bolting, compact size, and versatility make it ideal for both home gardeners and container gardeners. Whether used in fresh salads, sandwiches, or wraps, Buttercrunch Lettuce’s delicate flavor and crisp texture will elevate your dishes.