Lactuca Sativa "Great Lakes Crisphead Lettuce" 6Pack Seedlings

Lactuca sativa 'Great Lakes' – Crisphead Iceberg Lettuce

Product Description Lettuce 'Great Lakes' is a classic, dependable crisphead (Iceberg) variety celebrated for its firm, solid round heads and exceptionally crunchy, sweet leaves. It forms a dense, compact central heart of pale green, crisp foliage surrounded by darker green, heavily savoyed and crinkled outer leaves.

Specially bred for superior reliability, 'Great Lakes' offers excellent resistance to bolting and tip-burn during warmer spells compared to standard crisphead types. It is an indispensable staple for home vegetable gardens, raised beds, and kitchen garden planters, producing top-quality, farm-fresh heads with an unbeatable fresh crunch for salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

Common Names

• Great Lakes Lettuce
• Crisphead Lettuce
• Iceberg Lettuce Great Lakes
• Heading Lettuce

Correct Botanical Name

• Lactuca sativa var. capitata 'Great Lakes'

Product Details

• Foliage: Firm, tightly folded crisp pale green inner leaves with dark, fringed outer wrapper leaves
• Growth Habit: Dense, compact, heading annual vegetable
• Mature Size: Heads reach approximately 15–20cm in diameter
• Days to Maturity: Roughly 75–85 days from seed / 45–55 days from seedling transplant
• Light: Full sun to partial morning sun (needs afternoon shade in hot summers)
• Water: Regular, consistent moisture (critical to prevent bitterness and bolting)
• Suitable for: Vegetable garden beds, raised planters, and kitchen container gardens

Benefits

🥬 Super Crisp & Crunchy: Yields solid, firm heads with juicy, sweet, and refreshingly crisp leaves

☀️ Bolt-Resistant Quality: Superior heat tolerance compared to other iceberg varieties, reducing early running to seed

🥗 Kitchen & Salad Staple: Perfect base for crunchy garden salads, burger toppings, and fresh wraps

🌱 High Yielding & Reliable: Proven performer for consistent heading and high garden productivity

🪴 Great for Raised Beds & Pots: Shallow root system makes it ideal for raised vegetable planters and deep troughs

Recommended Growing Medium & Compost Plant in rich, loose, and moisture-retentive garden soil with good natural drainage. Generously incorporate mature organic compost and well-rotted manure into the soil bed prior to planting. Mulch around seedlings with clean straw or compost to keep soil temperatures cool and reduce evaporation.

Recommended Fertiliser Incorporate an organic balanced fertiliser (such as 2:3:2 or 3:1:5) into the bed before planting. Apply a high-nitrogen liquid feed (such as kelp or fish emulsion) every 2 weeks during active head formation to maintain rapid, tender leaf growth.

Growing Conditions

☀️ Light: Full sun during cooler months (autumn, winter, spring); dappled shade or 30% shade cloth during peak summer heat to prevent scorching.

💧 Water: Water regularly and evenly. Dry spells can induce bitterness and cause early bolting.

🌱 Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, well-draining loam with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

✂️ Maintenance: Harvest individual outer leaves as needed, or harvest the entire head once it feels firm and solid to a gentle squeeze.