#bibb lettuce

[fieriframes]

[Take our bagel, buttered, griddled. Caper-chive cream cheese. Moves away, son. Some bibb lettuce, sliced tomato. Side of homies.]

[lixslife]

Growing more seedlings! My Peppers haven't sprouted but they normally have taken longer than my other plants.

[icleanedthisplate]

Seafood Lettuce Wraps. Landshark Bar & Grill. Branson, Missouri. 12.18.2023.

NOTE TO SELF: Would have been good with decent ingredients, but I am deep into mass production here.

Currently ranked 16th of 19 December meals.

[obsessivevoidkitten]

These are all the things I want to grow and have the seeds for this year, though some things are missing from this list. I still need more soil, most of the produce goes to the senior center so if anyone wants to throw me 3 dollars for a bag of dirt it goes to a good cause, I also save seeds and distribute them to neighbors and some of the people at the senior center. This blog is my only income source as I am an unpaid live-in aide for an elderly woman. No pressure though. Also if anyone just wants to put gardening discussions in my inbox I am totally up for that!

Supernova sunchokes

Red pontiac potatoes, kennebec potatoes, lehigh potatoes, purple viking potatoes, red norland potatoes, also sweet potatoes

Brown sugar tomatoes, amish paste tomatoes, orange hat tomatoes, yellow stuffer tomatoes, yellow pear tomatoes, bosque blue bumblebee tomatoes, bonny best tomatoes, orange icicle tomatoes, sart roloise tomatoes, sweetheart cherry tomatoes, honeycomb tomatoes, barry's crazy cherry tomatoes, kentucky beefsteak tomatoes, and of course PRAIRIE FIRE TOMATOES

Corbaci peppers, ajvarski peppers, sugar rush peach peppers, albino bullnose peppers, binquinho peppers, lemon spice jalapeno peppers

Armenian yard long cucumbers, sumter cucumbers, bushcrop cucumbers, spacemaster 80 cucumbers, green apple cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, dragon's egg cucumbers, poona kheera cucumbers, pick a bushel cucumbers

Rosita eggplants, listda de gandia eggplants, shikou eggplants, casper eggplants

White soul alpine strawberries, seascape strawberries

Strawberry spinach, malabar spinach, thousand head kale, scarlet kale, blooming kale, orach, slobolt lettuce, merlot lettuce, bronze lettuce, buttercrunch lettuce, bibb lettuce, aqua large leaf watercress, swiss chard five color silverbeet

Moonshine sweet corn, glass gem corn, fiesta corn, Incredible R/M sweet corn

Great northern beans, dwarf taylor horticulture beans, jade II beans

Red burgundy okra, jing orange okra

Autumn buckskin pumpkins, long island cheese pumpkins, flat white boer pumpkins, seminole pumpkins, rouge vif d' etampes pumpkins

Gumball mix radishes, china rose radishes, de 18 jours radishes, golden helios radishes, purple plum radishes, diana hybrid radishes, pink dawn radishes

Chocolate cherry sunflowers, autumn beauty sunflowers, evening sunflowers, russian mammoth sunflowers, florenza sunflowers, lemon queen sunflowers

Peach melba nasturtiums, whirlybird nasturtiums, orchid flame nasturtiums, tip top alaska salmon nasturtiums, tip top rose nasturtiums

Gill's golden pippin squash, honeynut squash, candy roaster squash, delicata squash, early prolific straightneck squash

Jolly jester marigolds, mexican mint marigolds, safari scarlet marigolds, orange flame marigolds, colossus bicolor red gold marigolds

Purple coneflowers, black eyed susans, moss roses, coleus pinto mix

Double tall mix strawflowers, copper red strawflowers, king size orange strawflowers

Pampas plume celosias, eternity mix celosias

Desert king watermelons, lemon drop watermelons, royal golden watermelons, tigger melons, kajari melons, golden crispy melons, golden jenny melons

Purple dragon carrots, melbec carrots, uzbek gold carrots, koral carrots

[nbula-rising]

California BLTs TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN SERVINGS: 4

12 slices of bacon, halved crosswise 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Salt Pepper 8 slices multigrain sandwich bread, toasted 1 Hass avocado—peeled, pitted and sliced 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced on the diagonal 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced 4 small Bibb lettuce leaves 1/2 cup mixed sprouts, such as radish, sunflower and alfalfa

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. For each lattice, weave 6 strips of bacon, 3 in each direction, on the prepared baking sheet. Set an ovenproof rack upside down on the bacon to keep it flat. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove the rack, then transfer the bacon lattices to paper towels to drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the tarragon and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the tarragon mayonnaise on each slice of toast. Arrange the sliced avocado, cucumbers and tomato on 4 slices of the toast and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with the bacon lattices, Bibb leaves and sprouts. Close the sandwiches and serve.

[makereadgrow]

The first round of seeds are started.

This round is a mix of things that take a long time to be ready and things that can go outside before frost free times.

I started two varieties of sweet peppers, celery, broccoli, leeks, pak choi, and tons of bibb lettuce. I also started coleus which is the only ornamental to start this early.

[dollsahoy]

I seem to be in A Very Bad Mood this morning (and, honestly, yesterday, too)

So I apologize for being snippy and annoying and I'm going to go try making bánh xèo now (a friend brought me some home grown bibb lettuce, purple basil, and parsley, so I can have some variety in my bánh xèo greens) and hope it turns out better than the quick silly little project I was working on that I didn't quite ruin, but I'd have to pretty much start over to salvage, and I dunno if it's worth it

then maybe I'll finally sew the really easy thing that's been pinned and ready to go for days

[chappythegardener]

How To Grow Organic Lettuce Hydroponically

Growing lettuce hydroponically is an excellent way to produce fresh and healthy greens year-round. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow lettuce hydroponically: Choose the Right Lettuce Variety: Select a lettuce variety suitable for hydroponic growing. Leafy and loose-leaf lettuces like Butterhead, Romaine, and Bibb are well-suited for this method. Set Up the Hydroponic System: Choose a hydroponic system that fits your space and needs. Common types include nutrient film technique (NFT), deep water culture (DWC), or a vertical tower system. Provide Proper Lighting: Ensure your lettuce plants receive adequate light. LED grow lights are ideal for hydroponic setups, providing the right spectrum and intensity for plant growth. Nutrient Solution: Mix a hydroponic nutrient solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lettuce requires a balanced mix of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. Planting: Start lettuce seeds in rockwool cubes or another hydroponic medium. Once seedlings have developed a few leaves, transfer them to the hydroponic system. Maintain Water Levels: Keep the water level in the hydroponic system consistent. Lettuce prefers a slightly moist environment, but avoid waterlogging the roots. pH Level: Regularly monitor and adjust the pH level of the nutrient solution. Lettuce thrives in a pH range between 5.8 and 6.5. Temperature: Maintain the ideal temperature for lettuce growth, which is around 60-70°F (15-21°C). Avoid extreme heat, as it can cause bolting and bitterness in the leaves. Air Circulation: Adequate air circulation is essential for healthy plant growth and to prevent mold or mildew issues. Harvesting: Lettuce can be harvested as soon as the leaves reach a desirable size, usually 4-6 weeks after planting. Use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut the leaves just above the base of the plant. Succession Planting: To ensure a continuous supply of lettuce, practice succession planting by starting new seedlings every few weeks. Clean and Maintain: Regularly clean and disinfect the hydroponic system to prevent algae or bacterial growth. Proper maintenance will promote healthy lettuce growth. By following these tips and providing the right conditions, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh and nutritious lettuce from your hydroponic garden. Happy hydroponic gardening! https://gardenguide4all.com/how-to-grow-organic-lettuce-hydroponically/ Read the full article

[zarohk]

Just ate out a girl named Corn. She beat me to the punch on a pun, “No wonder you’re so corny, you are what you eat!”

Also, my favorite salmon salad!

Grilled Salmon Salad with Lime, Chiles and Herbs

2 limes halved

juice of ½ lime

1 large jalapeño seeds removed

1 shallot (or 2 scallions), thinly sliced

1 tablespoon fish sauce

Pinch of granulated sugar

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil, plus more for brushing

1 ¼ pounds salmon fillet, preferably 1 large center-cut piece

8 cups salad greens, (soft lettuces) such as Little Gem, bibb or Boston lettuce

1 cup mixed soft herbs (such as cilantro, mint and basil), leaves and tender stems

1 cup thinly sliced radishes, cucumbers or both (optional)

Clean and dry lettuce, cukes, radishes and herbs. Mix. Place in a large shallow bowl or on a platter

Light the grill for indirect heat, or heat the oven to 450 degrees.

As the grill or oven heat up, make the dressing: Halve 1 lime, and squeeze its juice into a small bowl. Add the chile slices, half of the sliced shallot (save the rest for serving), the fish sauce and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 1 minute to dissolve the salt, then whisk in the olive oil. It won’t emulsify, so mix again before using.

Add remaining shallots, if any to salad.

Brush the salmon with oil. Cook on grill over medium heat until cooked but not burnt or browned (140 degrees), 4-5 minutes per side, depending on how hot the grill is and how thick the salmon is. Check the salmon often. (Alternatively, roast the salmon on a baking sheet in the oven, until just cooked to taste, 7 to 12 minutes, you don't have to flip it.)

As the salmon cooks, halve the other lime. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and grill, cut-side down, over direct heat until charred, about 1 minute. If using the oven, throw the halves, cut-side up, on the roasting pan with the salmon. They won’t char, but they will cook and mellow in flavor, which is the aim.

When the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a plate and spoon ¾ dressing over it and rest directly on salad. Let it cool slightly, while tossing salad, then break up the fish into large chunks.

Squeeze some of the juice from a charred lime half over it and drizzle with a little olive oil. Toss and taste, adding lime juice, olive oil or salt as needed.

Top salad with the salmon chunks and dressig. Serve with the remaining charred lime half on the side for squeezing.

Hello skinny tgirl. Lately you've been complaining that your tits aren't growing. In front of you is a plate of food.

[tameblog]

Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[ramestoryworld]

Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

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Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[tumibaba]

Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

[romaleen]

Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link

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Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat. Buttercrunch belongs to a category of lettuces known as “butterheads,” including other varieties such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ which all feature similar characteristics. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whereas ‘Iceberg’ has a sharp crunch and thick leaf texture, ‘Buttercrunch’ has thinner leaves and a softer, more velvety texture that is perfect to top sandwiches, roll up in wraps, and even substitute for tortillas. The flavor is milder than that of many of the other loose-leaf varieties, making it a preferred choice when the crunch and taste of greens is desired without imposing bitterness. Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. However, ‘Buttercrunch’ is more tolerant of heat than some types, making it a good addition to gardens in warmer climates. When other varieties are bitter and bolting, buttercrunch holds out. Let’s talk about what it takes to grow buttercrunch lettuce! Butterhead lettuces, such as ‘Boston’ and ‘Bibb,’ differ from crisphead varieties, such as ‘Iceberg,’ in that butterheads form loose, soft heads that can be harvested as individual leaves, rather than entire heads, throughout the growing season. Quick Look Common name(s): Buttercrunch lettuce Plant type: Annual vegetable Hardiness (USDA Zone): 2-11 Native to: Mediterranean Bloom time / season: Spring and fall, winter with cold protection Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil type: Organically rich, loose, well draining Soil pH: 6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral Time to maturity: 45-60 days Spacing: 10-18 inches Planting depth: 1/8 inch (seeds) Mature size: 6-12 inches wide x 9-14 inches high Water Needs: Moderate Taxonomy Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Latuca Species: Sativa Cultivar: ‘Buttercrunch’ ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is a butterhead variety that was developed by George Raleigh, a professor at Cornell University who specialized in vegetable crops. While it’s not considered an heirloom, it’s an award winning cultivar that has been a staple garden lettuce since the early 1960s. Because of the soft, buttery texture, this variety has long been considered a standard addition to sandwich and wrap recipes. Heads of this variety, as with almost any loose-leaf lettuce, can be left at the end of the growing season to bolt, or bloom, to produce seed. Collecting your own seed is a wise way to propagate plants most suited for your garden and hand-select those with the best characteristics. One head of lettuce can produce hundreds of seeds, and serve as parent to crops for multiple growing seasons. How to Sow Most gardeners try their hand at growing lettuce at some point, and many choose to include it in their garden every year. It’s one of the most common additions to the garden and, in most cases, pretty simple and straightforward to grow, with good results. In about two months’ time, you can begin harvesting your first crop of ‘Buttercrunch.’ Plants can be direct sown, started indoors and transplanted, or grown in containers. Lettuce is also highly successful when grown in aquaponic or hydroponic systems. Lettuce seed is small and fine, resembling chaff. If you decide to collect your own seed from plants in your garden, you may be fooled into thinking that the dead blooms have not produced any because it’s so hard to see! An important consideration to make before planting ‘Buttercrunch’ is that mature heads will typically be six to eight inches wide, and sometimes larger. Allow adequate room for spacing. From Seed A flat of one-inch cells is adequate for lettuce starts as they do not require much room to root. When starting seeds indoors in flats or pots, you’ll want to choose compost or a potting mix that is nutrient dense. A blend that includes aged manure works well to increase available nutrients for healthier plants. Similarly, amending the soil at the growing site with compost or aged manure prior to planting is best when direct sowing seeds. Avoid overwatering or allowing soil to become soggy as this can cause rotting, especially with sensitive lettuce. Keep a close eye out for fungus gnats or signs of damping off as well, as both can kill delicate sprouts. Lettuce is typically tolerant of cooler temperatures, so plan to start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost for your area. Early spring or early fall are ideal times for planting, but be sure to allow enough time for plants to mature before the first frost – about 60 days. If you choose to start seeds outdoors, wait until the threat of frost has passed and sow directly in fertile soil, preferably at a site with partial shade. Be sure that the ground has thawed if you’re gardening in an area where it freezes in winter. Here’s how to plant: Sow seeds about one-eighth of an inch deep, spacing plants at least ten to twelve inches apart. If you plant them closer together, you’ll need to thin them out after they sprout by choosing the healthiest, fastest growing plants and plucking the ones that don’t make the cut. Seedlings need light to germinate, so avoid planting too deeply. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet. Seedlings should emerge in one to two weeks. They’re initially small and weak, and extremely susceptible to sunscald, which can cause them to wilt and die in just a few hours. It may be necessary to protect seedlings with shade cloth, or row covers such as tunnels, to prevent them from being sun damaged. Tunnels can serve double duty by offering protection from animal and insect damage as well. Most heads will reach maturity in as little as 50 to 60 days, so it’s possible to plant several crops in succession throughout the growing season. From Seedlings/Transplanting Lettuce seedlings are delicate and small, with a shallow root system. When seedlings are about three to four weeks old, they can be moved outdoors in temperatures as low as 20°F, although it is generally best to avoid transplanting until temperatures are above freezing. Transplants should be hardened off by reducing the amount of water they receive and gradually introducing them to more indirect sunlight for one to two weeks before moving them outdoors permanently. Soil at the planting site should be rich and fertile, and amending with compost or aged manure ahead of time will help seedlings get the best start possible. Arranging seedlings in slightly mounded rows, spaced about one foot apart, can provide good drainage and keep leaves from coming into contact with the ground, which can cause them to rot and make it easier for pests to infest them. Dig holes as deep and wide as the planting cell, and space plants ten to twelve inches apart. Place the seedlings in the holes, press down with your hands, and water to settle. As plants are harvested, new plants can be transplanted to the same growing site provided that disease or pest infestation have not been problems. Plan to plant a new crop every 60 days and start seeds accordingly. How to Grow ‘Buttercrunch’ forms loose, soft heads of leaves that are slightly more tolerant of heat than some varieties. That being said, it’s still a leaf lettuce. Cooler seasons and partial shade are better for ‘Buttercrunch,’ as high temperatures encourages bolting and bitter flavors. Consistent watering is important, although it’s not a good idea to drench the soil as lettuce can rot if kept too wet. About one to two inches per week is recommended during the season. If you aren’t sure how much your garden is getting from precipitation, try using a rain gauge. If the soil dries out too often, ‘Buttercrunch’ and other types of lettuce can become stressed, leaving them open to damage from disease and pests. Drip irrigation can be an effective solution to provide moisture without drenching, and it can also prevent the spread of some types of disease. To keep soil consistently moist, a light layer of mulch can be added, however, avoid allowing soil or mulch to come into contact with the lower leaves, as this can also cause rotting. Leaves that show signs of rot, such as brown or yellow blotches, or a mushy, wilted texture, can be removed and discarded before they affect other adjacent parts of the head. Fertilizer isn’t really necessary if the soil your lettuce is planted in is healthy and rich in organic material. If you want to give an added boost, fertilizers such as fish emulsion, or others that are low in nitrogen, can be beneficial. Use fertilizers sparingly as lettuce has a small and delicate root system that can be damaged easily by over-application. In times of high heat, such as the summer months, pay careful attention to your plants. Signs of sunscald include wilting, and burns that appear bleached and brittle. Protect ‘Buttercrunch’ plants from heat and sun exposure by covering them with shade cloth, row covers, or polytunnels, or plant near other taller plants such as tomatoes or peppers that can provide some shade. Row covers or polytunnels not only diffuse light, they can also protect from foraging animals and infestation, as well as from low temperatures and frost. Lettuce seedlings are more tolerant of cold and freezing than more mature plants, so it’s also important to protect heads from extreme cold.  Cold frames are structures that are built to create enclosed growing environments, protecting plants inside from exposure to cold temperatures while still allowing full sun exposure and the benefit of growing in-ground.  A cold frame traps heat from the sun and the warm, moist air that transpires from the ground, as well as from plants and decomposing material, offering a warm place to grow when it’s cold outside. They can be used to extend the growing season through winter in areas where low temperatures are not extreme, and may be planted with suitable companion plants as well. A cold frame can be built simply by using four one-by-four-inch boards positioned in a square or rectangular pattern, fastened together at the corners with screws and brackets. Be sure to clear heavy snowfall that may accumulate on top of the cold frames to avoid caving in or damage from the weight. Frames with strong construction can last through many years of repeated use. Portable Wooden Cold Frame If you prefer a more aesthetic approach or your skill at this type of handiwork leaves something to be desire, this wooden option that is available for purchase from Amazon. Container Growing ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce is an excellent choice for container growing. In a relatively small space, over the course of a few months, you can produce more than one crop with the added benefit of mobility. Plants in containers can be moved indoors or to a controlled environment, and protected from infestation, foraging animals, and damaging weather conditions. Find more tips on growing lettuce in containers here. Trays There are two reasons that ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce could be grown in a tray. Starting a layer of seeds in a shallow tray will result in a dense carpet of sprouts, which can then be harvested and used as microgreens. These are delicious and tender, and can be used in recipes just as you would mature lettuce. Self-Watering Grow Trays Self-watering grow trays can be used to produce a small quantity of plants, such as these which are available from True Leaf Market. Or choose a larger tray to produce a greater quantity, such as this one, also available from True Leaf Market. Microgreens contain a lot of nutrients and water, and the flavor of young ‘Buttercrunch’ sprouts is sweet and mild, which can add an interesting boost to a variety of recipes. See the recipes section below for some ideas. Planting ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a tray can also produce homegrown fodder for chickens. Lettuce seed can be mixed with other types of seeds, such as beets, cabbage, and kale, to create a kind of “fodder salad,” which can be grown and then harvested and placed in your chicken enclosure at feeding time. True Leaf Market has a fantastic selection of seed that is tried and true for producing microgreens. Fresh fodder is highly nutritious and can be fed to chickens and other small livestock to improve their diet, replace dry grain, and supplement feed in the winter months. If planted in succession, microgreens or fodder can be produced year round by placing trays under grow lights indoors. Sturdy trays can be reused indefinitely. When planting in trays, monitor sprouts to be sure that mold is not growing between the closely-growing plants. Emsiok Hemp Grow Mats Because ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds are small and thin, it works best to use a layer of soilless planting medium, such as these hemp mats from Emsiok, available via Amazon, at the bottom of the tray. Aquaponics or Hydroponics Aquaponic and hydroponic systems use water as the planting medium for a wide variety of plants, including strawberries, lettuce, and many more. ‘Buttercrunch’ is a perfect addition to either system, as the shallow roots and short period of time to maturity work well for this method of growing. Systems such as these that use water as the growing medium are set up in a number of ways, such as with water tanks, plastic tubes, or sometimes uniquely constructed structures, all allowing plant roots to come into contact with water. The difference between aquaponics and hydroponics systems is that hydroponics uses only water with liquid nutrients added for growing, while in aquaponics, containers of water house fish, which provide nutrients from waste dissolved in the water. ‘Buttercrunch’ heads grown commercially in these systems are often sold in grocery stores. Pots and Window Boxes ‘Buttercrunch’ lends itself well to container growing because of its small, shallow root system and relatively simple needs.  A window box or small planter is perfectly adequate for growing a few heads at a time, and can be reused as often as you like. Add compost or fish emulsion to increase available nutrients during the growing season, and replace the soil every two to three years to keep it fresh and healthy. Any time you’ve had a bout of disease or infestation in a container, empty the contents, disinfect the container by soaking in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water, or substitute vinegar for bleach in a ratio of one part vinegar to three parts water, and leave the container submerged overnight. Remove the container from the solution, rinse well, and allow it to dry completely before proceeding to use it for planting again. Be sure to check in crevices and under rims for any remaining pests, eggs, or residue. Be sure that the chosen container drains well, and keep the soil moist but not wet. ‘Buttercrunch’ grown in containers will still need adequate sunlight, so be sure that plants are getting at least six to eight hours of light per day. Full sun is preferred, although plants should be protected if temperatures are high, such as in the dead heat of summer. Grow Towers Plant towers, such as this one that’s available from Amazon, can be another interesting way to produce a crop of fresh ‘Buttercrunch’ heads, even in a small space. Vertical Garden Planter This is achieved by arranging rows of plants vertically, rather than planting horizontally, and is also known as growing “up, not out.” By planting vertically, you can potentially grow dozens of plants in a season using a four- to six-foot-tall growing tower, which takes up just a few square feet of horizontal space. Towers can be positioned on a deck, porch, or even indoors in some instances. Some towers are lightweight enough to be portable, moving indoors easily during heatwaves or cold snaps, and extending the growing season. Grow towers can sometimes be used in conjunction with an aquaponics system, or planted with soil as the growing medium. Where to Buy You can typically find seeds or nursery starts available at your local garden center or plant nursery, and online as well. ‘Buttercrunch’ Eden Brothers sells ‘Buttercrunch’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes and in bulk. Pests and Disease Lettuce can be a magnet for pests, large and small. Deer enjoy munching on the tender leaves and rabbits like to demolish young plants. A variety of different insects may infest your ‘Buttercrunch,’ from the ever-present aphid to caterpillars, flea beetles, and fungus gnats. Many of these common pests can contribute to the spread of disease as well. Slugs and snails enjoy making a meal of your lettuce and will create telltale ragged holes in the leaves as they feed. A large infestation can decimate your crop. You can learn more about how to manage lettuce pests in our full guide. Almost all garden plants are susceptible to some kind of disease, and ‘Buttercrunch’ is no exception. Seedlings that suddenly die may be suffering from damping off. Downy mildew is a fungal infection that can cause the leaves to develop a fluffy mold on the underside of the leaves. Another fungal infection is bottom rot, caused by various species of fungi in the Rhizoctonia genus that live in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot shows up as black lesions on the outer leaves and if allowed to spread, can destroy your entire crop. Check out our guide to common lettuce diseases to learn more. Harvesting There are a few different ways to harvest ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce, depending upon how you plan to use it. Microgreens can be ready to harvest in as little as a few days or up to about two weeks. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the sprouts close to the root by the handful, or simply brush off the seed coats and use the entire sprout. Immediately after harvesting sprouts, refrigerate them to keep them fresh. Be prepared to use them within a few days to a week maximum, because they don’t have a long shelf life. Individual leaves can be cut from lettuce in the garden or in containers any time after a head has formed. Always cut leaves from the outside first, because leaves cut from the inside of the head will not regenerate. Harvesting individual leaves is a good way to keep plants growing through the season if you don’t plan to plant more than one crop. It’s also a good way to allow plants to continue their life cycle if you plan to collect seed from them. Bear in mind that you do not want to remove more than a few leaves at a time from each head if you go this route, as removing too much can kill the plants. Cut leaves can be stored in the refrigerator, typically for up to a few weeks. I prefer to store them in a zipper-sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to collect moisture and prevent wilting. Full heads can be harvested at any time through the growing season. You may choose to cut the head from the stem, or pull the entire plant up by the roots. If you plan to plant more than one crop of ‘Buttercrunch’ per season in the same plot, harvesting the entire plant – roots and all – is best, especially if you’ve had any soilborne disease issues. Harvested heads can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, especially if the roots are kept intact. Heads can be stored in the refrigerator, in a bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom as this provides moisture for the roots, keeping the head fresh. Heads can also be stored with a wet paper towel in a gallon-sized zipper-sealed bag, or separated into leaves, washed and dried, and kept in a ventilated lettuce keeper in the fridge. It’s best to keep your harvested ‘Buttercrunch’ covered to prevent the potential buildup of bacteria from contact with other items in the refrigerator. A Staple Crop that is Versatile and Easy to Grow Maybe you’re interested in branching out from the everyday ‘Iceberg,’ and you’re considering changing things up with ‘Buttercrunch’ this spring or fall. Perhaps you’ve got a number of varieties on your planting list because you’re a true salad connoisseur, or maybe you’re brand new to gardening and looking for an easy, productive crop. No matter what your plans are, ‘Buttercrunch’ is the perfectly versatile go-to you’re sure to choose over and over again once it becomes a favorite. And it can be a part of your garden year round, with a little necessary preparation.  What method will you use to grow ‘Buttercrunch?’ Will you plant it in the ground, in a pot, or in a hydroponic system? Let us know in the comments! We love to hear about your garden adventures! If you’re looking for more information about other types of lettuce and how to grow them, these articles may be useful: Photo by Felicia Lim © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published July 12th, 2021. Last updated: March 27th, 2025. Product photos via Eden Brothers, Greenstalk, Amazon, Emsiok, and True Leaf Market. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '176410929431717'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); Source link