Tom Thumb Butterhead Lettuce Seeds

Days to Maturity: 50 to 70

A limestone Bibb, the oldest American lettuce still growing, Tom Thumb, a miniature butterhead, is grown as a leafy vegetable. It produces tennis ball-sized heads with a creamy yellow center and loose, succulent, medium-green leaves that have a soft, "buttery" texture and a mild, sweet flavor. One head makes a personal-sized salad.

This herbaceous annual, a member of the chicory (Asteraceae) family, is a quick-growing, long-producing plant. It grows best in full sun to part shade and fertile, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil. Loose, well-tilled soil and consistent water are important for the best germination. Succession plantings every 2 to 3 weeks is recommended for continual harvest. It can also be grown hydroponically.

A cool-season, semi-hardy vegetable, one of the first to be planted in the garden, it can be direct sown into the garden as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, about 2 weeks before the last frost date. For fall harvest, sow seeds about 8 weeks before the frost date. Plants can also be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting, spring and fall. It needs cold temperatures to germinate and grow and can withstand light frost and temperatures in the 28- to 32-degree range and becomes even sweeter with a light frost.

If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.