Black Seeded Simpson Looseleaf Lettuce - Organic

Black Seeded Simpson
×
seeds
Lactuca sativa
(42 days) Open pollinated.

The earliest and most popular looseleaf variety. “One of our absolute favorites for early season production with heads up to 16" diameter,” said NY market lettuce grower Lisa Bloodnick. Large loose crumpled juicy light-green leaves slightly ruffled and blistered. Inner leaves tender and well blanched. 

This heirloom probably came from England circa 1850; introduced by Peter Henderson & Co. of New York circa 1875. 

Does not stand heat well; sow as early as ground can be worked. Showed some tolerance to germination in warm temperatures. Resists DM and TB.

Supplier Transparency:
② Family-owned companies or cooperatives, domestic and foreign
ships year-round
OGThis item is certified organic

2712 Black Seeded Simpson - Organic

A: 1g
$3.00
B: 4g
$4.50
C: 14g
$7.00
D: 28g
$10.00
E: 112g
$26.00
Quick Details
Hybrid Status
open pollinated
Days to Maturity
42 days
Compare

Compare with other Looseleaf Lettuce

Variety Product Type Hybrid Status Days to Maturity
Black Seeded Simpson
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 42 days
Salad Bowl seeds open pollinated 46 days
Salad Bowl
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 46 days
Red Salad Bowl seeds open pollinated 46 days
Red Salad Bowl
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 46 days
Red Sails
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 49 days
Australian Yellow
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 50 days
Hyper Red Rumple Waved
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 50 days
New Red Fire
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 51 days
Slobolt seeds open pollinated 53 days
Red Tinged Winter
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 60 days
De Morges Braun
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 64 days
Merlot
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 32 days baby, 60 mature
Tango
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 45 days
Shipping

From early May through mid-December, items shipping from our garden seeds warehouse ship twice a week, usually Tuesday and Thursday. For quickest turnaround time order online by noon Monday or Wednesday.

Additional Information

Lettuce

  • 700–1100 seeds/g.
  • Days to maturity are from emergence after direct sowing; for transplants, subtract 20 days.

Culture: Direct seed outdoors as soon as ground can be worked and repeat every 2 weeks for continuous supply. Or start indoors in March and at regular intervals thereafter for early transplanted successions. Optimal germination temperature range 40–70° though many varieties won’t germinate in soil temps above 75° and most shut down above 80°. Thin sowings frequently and ruthlessly to a final distance of 1' for full heads. Heavy nitrogen feeders.

Hardy. All save icebergs tolerate heavy frost. Fall and overwintered harvests are becoming standard practice. For summer harvest, select varieties carefully: bolting, bottom rot and tipburn are problems if a variety can’t take the heat! Using shade cloth can keep lettuce tender and sweet longer into summer. Sesquiterpene lactones produced in the latex render lettuce bitter when it bolts.

Saving Seed: Saving lettuce seed is easy! Leave spring-planted lettuce heads to bolt. Flowers will become white tufted seeds. Once dry on stalk, rub seeds off the plant into a paper bag. To ensure true-to-type seed, separate lettuce varieties by 10 feet.

Diseases:

  • BOR: Bottom Rot
  • DM: Downy Mildew
  • LMV: Lettuce Mosaic Virus
  • PM: Powdery Mildew
  • SC: Sclerotinia
  • TB: Tipburn
  • X: Xanthemonas

Pest: Aster Leafhopper (vector for Aster Yellows disease)
Cultural controls: control perennial broadleaf weeds near lettuce plantings, plow lettuce fields immediately after harvest.

Pest: Slug
Cultural controls: avoid mulch or nearby grassy areas.
Material: Sluggo

Disease: Bottom Rot
Cultural controls: rotate with grass-family green manures, plant in well-drained soil or on raised beds, more upright varieties escape infection.

Major Diseases: Downy Mildew, Grey Mold, White Mold
Cultural controls: rotation, reduce duration of leaf wetness, plant parallel to prevailing winds, use wide spacing, control weeds, use well-drained fields in spring and fall.
Material controls: MilStop

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

Non GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.