Winter Lettuce: Marvel of Four Seasons Lettuce

"This beautiful butterhead-type variety has a stunning metallic color pattern that goes from bright green to a shimmery bronze. Easy to grow and thrives in a range of climates. Texture remains crisp at every stage and grows up to 8" tall at full maturity." source: MIgardener

 

It has been said that this lettuce can be sown in small pots outside, under full sun, in late July and transplanted into the garden in August. You can pick off individual leaves as you need them, and new leaves will continue to come up steadily. They should have incredible heat tolerance with no signs of bolting within the first couple months, even in the middle of the day, when the sun was harshest. highs of 90°F or more. This lettuce has been known to  last through the end of September—four months after germination. That being said, hot weather can cause lettuce to go to seed or bolt, and so fall is a great time to plant a "winter" lettuce crop. It is really a fall crop, but because of its thick leaves, this heirloom can cope with temperatures down to 20F. Cover the plants with straw or leaves and you just may have home-grown lettuce at Christmas!

For best results choose a spot that is rich in organic matter, such as compost. Lettuce does best in soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8. Sow lettuce about one-quarter-inch deep, just one inch apart. Keep the seedbed evenly moist but not soggy. Once the lettuce sprouts, thin to six inches apart. The young, tender plants that you thin may be the best part of a fall salad.