1# BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON LETTUC

Black Seeded Simpson is a time‑tested, fast‑growing loose‑leaf lettuce known for its bright green, frilly leaves, mild flavor, and exceptional reliability in cool‑season gardens.

🌱 Quick Overview

• Type: Loose‑leaf lettuce

• Leaf color: Light to medium green

• Leaf shape: Broad, wavy, and crinkled

• Flavor: Mild, sweet, tender

• Use: Fresh salads, sandwiches, baby greens

• Days to maturity: ~45–50 days

• Harvest style: Cut‑and‑come‑again

• Pollination: Open‑pollinated (excellent for seed saving)

✅ Why gardeners love Black Seeded Simpson

• Very fast growing and forgiving

• Excellent for spring and fall planting

• Performs well in cool weather

• Regrows well after cutting

• Great choice for beginners and small gardens

• One of the most reliable leaf lettuces ever grown

🌼 Growing from seed

• Planting time:

  • Early spring as soon as soil can be worked

  • Late summer for fall harvest

  • Can be grown in cool weather throughout the season

• Seed depth: ⅛–¼ inch (lettuce needs light to germinate)

• Spacing:

  • Baby greens: sow thickly

  • Full plants: thin to 6–8 inches apart

  • Rows 12–18 inches apart

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Loose, fertile, well‑drained, rich in organic matter

• Water: Consistent moisture for tender, sweet leaves

Tip: Afternoon shade helps delay bolting in warmer weather.

🥬 Harvesting

• Baby leaves ready in 25–30 days

• Harvest outer leaves or cut plants back to 1–2 inches

• Plants will regrow multiple times

• Best flavor when harvested young and cool

🍽️ Kitchen notes

• Excellent fresh lettuce with soft texture

• Ideal base for mixed salad greens

• Pairs well with stronger greens like arugula or mustard

• Wash and chill for best crispness