Lettuce Seeds (Organic) - Parris Island Cos

Organic Parris Island Cos Lettuce is a versatile and crisp variety that thrives in organic gardens. Known for its tall, upright growth and crunchy texture, this Romaine-style lettuce is perfect for adding a fresh, hearty element to your salads and sandwiches. With its rich, sweet flavor and crisp leaves, Parris Island Cos offers a refreshing taste and is highly prized for both home gardeners and commercial growers. This variety is easy to grow and ideal for cool-season gardening.

Key Benefits

• Organically Grown: 100% organic seeds, perfect for gardeners focused on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• Crisp Texture: Provides a crunchy texture that adds freshness and crunch to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
• Mild, Sweet Flavor: Offers a refreshing, slightly sweet flavor without the bitterness often found in other lettuce varieties.
• Cold-Hardy: Thrives in cooler temperatures, making it an excellent choice for spring and fall planting.
• High Yield: Known for its strong, upright growth and large, full heads that provide a generous harvest.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Tall, upright plants with long, dark green leaves that form dense, cylindrical heads.
• Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet flavor with a refreshing crunch that makes it ideal for raw consumption.
• Growth Habit: Parris Island Cos grows in a tall, columnar shape, forming dense heads that stand upright, similar to Romaine lettuce.
• Size: Typically reaches 10–12 inches in height, with leaves extending up to 18 inches long.

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: Parris Island Cos thrives in cool temperatures between 55°F–75°F (13°C–24°C), ideal for cooler seasons.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep, either in seed trays or directly into prepared garden soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6–8 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers rich, fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0).
• Sunlight: Full sun is ideal, but Parris Island Cos Lettuce can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to ensure the lettuce remains tender and crisp.
• Water about 1 inch per week, increasing during dry spells to maintain consistent moisture.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced, organic fertilizer at planting time to support healthy growth and robust leaf development.
• Fertilize again when plants are about 4–6 inches tall to encourage continued growth and a full head.

Weeding and Mulching

• Weed regularly around the lettuce, being careful not to disturb the shallow roots.
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weed growth.

Pest and Disease Control

• Pests: Keep an eye out for aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic methods like neem oil, diatomaceous earth, or slug traps to control pests.
• Diseases: Lettuce can be prone to fungal diseases like downy mildew. Avoid overhead watering, provide adequate spacing for good air circulation, and practice crop rotation to prevent disease.

Harvesting

• Maturity: Parris Island Cos Lettuce is ready to harvest in 60–75 days, depending on growing conditions.
• Size: Harvest when the head is full and tightly formed, typically around 10–12 inches tall.
• Method: Cut the head at the base or harvest outer leaves as needed, leaving 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 may affect texture, so it’s best suited for cooked dishes.

Culinary Uses

• Salads: Adds a crisp, refreshing crunch to salads, perfect as a base or garnish.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Use as a fresh, hearty layer in sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for extra crunch.
• Tacos and Burritos: Add to tacos or burritos for a fresh, crunchy texture that complements a variety of fillings.
• Smoothies: Blend Parris Island Cos Lettuce into smoothies for a healthy, hydrating ingredient.

Conclusion

Organic Parris Island Cos Lettuce is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a crisp, refreshing lettuce variety with mild flavor and a hearty texture. Its cold-hardiness, high yield, and adaptability to both cool and mild climates make it a reliable and rewarding addition to any garden. Whether you're adding it to fresh salads, sandwiches, or wraps, this lettuce will enhance your dishes with its crunchy texture and sweet, mild flavor. Perfect for organic gardeners, Parris Island Cos is easy to grow and produces abundant, high-quality lettuce heads.