Butter King Lettuce Seeds

Butter King Lettuce is slow to bolt or turn bitter. This varieties’ light-green crisp 12-13 oz. butterheads do well in Midwest heat. The Butter King is a Boston type, but it is nearly twice as large and more tender. This lettuce grows vigorously with a good flavor and is disease resistant.

Plant Height: 10-20″

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa

Seed Type: Seed

Additional Characteristics: All American Selection

Seeds Per Gram: 992

Seeds Per Pound: 450,000

Row Spacing: 12-18″

Packet: 500 Seeds

Sow Depth: 1/8″

Seeds Per Ounce: 28,125

Breed: Open-pollinated

Sun: Full Sun / Partial Shade

Types: BIBB LETTUCE

Maturity: Main Season

Growing Conditions: Container Friendly, Cold Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Cubic Inches: 2.19375

Life Cycle: Annual

Sow Method: Transplant

Plant Spacing: 8-10″

Categories: Lettuce

Days To Maturity (# Days): 60

Seeds Per Acre: 10 oz.

Growing Instructions

Lettuce is a cool-season crop, and seedlings can tolerate a light frost. Lettuce grows quickly, so stagger the plantings. It is recommended to sow the lettuce seeds directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked.

Before Planting:Lettuce is hardy and can be planted as early as the soil can be worked. It is a cool weather crop and grows best at temperatures of 60-65F. Careful variety selection is important for hot weather plantings. Sow every 3 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh lettuce. Lettuce seed can enter thermal dormancy when exposed to high temperatures. Do not use a heat mat when germinating lettuce seed. Optimum germination results at soil temperatures of 6065F.

Planting:For direct seeding, seeds germinate at low soil temperatures (40F), but poorly above 75F. Sow seeds 2-3 apart, rows 1218 apart. Cover seed lightly, about 1/8, and firm soil gently. Thin iceberg and romaine lettuce to one plant every 1012, other types 810 for full size heads or 6 for mini heads. Dry soil must be watered to ensure coolness and moisture, and for uniform germination. For transplanting, sow 2-3 seeds per cell, 1/4 deep, 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors. Do not let soil above 70F while germinating so keep out of sun and a cool, dark location. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 23 days before planting outdoors. Properly hardened transplants can survive temperatures as low as 20F. Transplant iceberg and romaine lettuce 1012 apart, in rows 18 apart. Other types 810 apart in rows 1218 apart for full size heads or 6 apart for mini heads.

Watering:Water lettuce once to twice per week or every 4 days whenever rainfall is inadequate.

Fertilizer:Lettuce is typically a care-free plant, but you can fertilize the soil with an organic fertilizer one week prior to planting the seeds. Lettuce grows best in soil that is high in humus. Fertilize three weeks after transplanting seedlings with an alfalfa meal or a slow-release fertilizer.

Days to Maturity:Lettuce can be picked whenever real leaves form. Pick when the leaves are younger rather than waiting so the taste doesnt become bitter. (See each variety for days to maturity)

Harvesting:For heads of lettuce, cut the plant at the soil line to harvest it. For leaf lettuces, you can harvest the entire plant or only the outer leaves as needed. Harvest in the morning. Store in cool, dark and high humidity location for up to 2-3 weeks.

Tips:Plant lettuce near taller plants, like tomatoes, so the leaves are in the shade during the hot parts of the day.