Iceberg Lettuce Seeds - crisphead lettuce varieties
Iceberg lettuce seeds bring particularly crisp and long-keeping lettuces to the garden. Iceberg lettuce forms very firm, compact heads with thick, juicy leaves and is one of the most popular lettuce varieties for fresh summer salads.
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Iceberg lettuce belongs botanically to the species Lactuca sativa and to the so-called crisphead group (Lactuca sativa var. crispum). The plants form large, very firm heads with densely layered leaves that are especially crisp and juicy.
Compared with tender butterhead lettuces, the leaves are significantly thicker and more resilient. This means iceberg lettuce stays fresh for a long time after harvest and keeps much longer than many other lettuce varieties.
Iceberg lettuce was originally bred in California to make lettuces easier to transport and store. Today it is one of the classic garden lettuces for summer cultivation and an essential ingredient in many kitchens.
Sowing and growing Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce can be started early indoors or sown directly outdoors. For an early crop, seeds are started indoors or in a greenhouse from March to April. Direct sowing in the garden bed is usually possible from May to July.
The seeds are sown about 0.5 to 1 cm deep and germinate within one to two weeks at temperatures between 10 and 18 °C. After thinning or pricking out, the plants should be spaced about 30 to 35 cm apart so that large heads can develop.
Iceberg lettuce prefers sunny locations and loose, humus-rich soil with consistent moisture. Waterlogging should be avoided, as it can encourage root rot.
Growing Iceberg Lettuce in the vegetable garden
Iceberg lettuce is particularly robust and tolerates higher temperatures better than many other lettuce varieties. This makes it well suited for summer cultivation in the garden.
The firm heads are harvested about eight to ten weeks after sowing, once they feel compact and firm. After harvest, iceberg lettuce keeps significantly longer than tender butterhead lettuces and often remains fresh in the refrigerator for several weeks.
FAQ about Iceberg Lettuce
What is iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is a crisphead lettuce with particularly firm heads and crisp leaves. It belongs to the species Lactuca sativa and is known for its excellent storage ability.
When should iceberg lettuce be sown?
Iceberg lettuce is usually started indoors from March to April or sown directly outdoors from May to July.
When can iceberg lettuce be harvested?
Harvest takes place about eight to ten weeks after sowing, once the head is firm and well developed.
