Lactuca sativa‘Winter Density’
Unless you frequently try out with unlike lolly varieties , it can be well-fixed to intend that there is n’t that much difference between them .
But then you burn into ‘ Winter Density , ’ and it ’s like opening the doorway to a hidden world .
‘ Winter Density ’ has a juicy , crisp texture and a honeyed smack that stands out from your common stock - bought romaine lettuce .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
Plus , it ’s so adaptable and prosperous to grow that you’re able to pop some cum in the ground and basically leave about it until it ’s fourth dimension to enjoy the leaf .
We link up to trafficker to help you find relevant products . If you purchase from one of our links , we may earn a commission .
If you ’ve grown lettuce before , then you know the routine – if not , be sure to see outour guide to growing lettucefor all the basics . ‘ Winter Density ’ does n’t require any particular precaution – or much care at all .
Photo by Kristine Lofgren.
Coming up , this usher will cover everything you necessitate to know , including :
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
No one is sure exactly where this fantastic cultivar amount from , though we know it was breed in the 1800s in England .
It was introduce to France and became wildly popular there in the late 1800s and early 1900s .
‘ Winter Density ’ is a cross between a butterhead and a romaine lettuce , with eight - inch - tall heads that ripen in about 55 to 65 days .
It has an upright growing habit and a heavy middle . It is resistant of Robert Lee Frost and will grow nicely even in fond Lord’s Day . It wo n’t bolt in moderate heat or a freeze , either .
You may also see it market as ‘ Craquerelle du Midi ’ or ‘ Craquante D’Avignon . ’
After harvest , the heads can last up to a week when stored properly , which is longer than most moolah cultivars .
‘Winter Density’ Propagation
Lettuce should be planted instantly outdoors in the spring , or in the fall when the weather is nerveless , but there are still enough freeze - detached days prognosticate in the prognosis for the flora to mature .
you could by and large start glean your ‘ Winter Density ’ in around 55 days , so plan accordingly .
This lettuce grow compact and erect , so you could squeeze quite a few into a small region .
From Seed
you may choose to direct - sow ‘ Winter Density ’ semen into the garden or if you want to get a foreland start , you may take up seed indoors in containers for transplanting .
To direct sow seeded player , prepare your garden bed by working in plenty of well - rotted compost .
I think of compost as the do - it - all soil amendment . It aids water holding , tally nutrients , and improves drain . Amending with compost can make sandy soil more urine - retentive and improve drain in stiff .
Sow the seed about four inches apart . Either aim them on the top of the soil or just cover them with an eighth of an in of grunge . The seeded player demand Light Within to germinate , so do n’t eat up them too bass .
The challenge is to keep the seeds moist while you wait for them to germinate . When seed seat on the top of the soil , they be given to dry out out quickly . In the absence seizure of rain , verify to keep the territory evenly moist .
If you wish tostart seeds indoors , fill a seed tray witha seed - start spiritualist , and sow the seeds on the control surface of the metier , and keep it moist . You may need to mist them once or twice a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to maintain sufficient moisture .
The seeds need about six hour or more of luminosity per day , so providesupplemental lightingif you do n’t have a spot with enough luminosity for your indoor seminal fluid .
you may move the seedling outside when they have at least two honest leaves and as soon as the soil can be worked .
‘ Winter Density ’ does n’t mind a lilliputian frost , but the soil ca n’t be too sluggish and wet . Before you transplant , harden the seedlings off a bit .
indurate off is the process of gradually exposing the plants to the growing conditions outside so they are n’t shocked by the changeover from the snug indoor environment to the away world .
Transplanting
Transplanting ‘ Winter Density ’ seedlings set about indoors or purchase from a nursery is somewhat straightforward .
get up the solid ground as depict above , then dig holes the same deepness and width as the container the plant are currently farm in , space them four inch asunder .
Gently take away each clams seedling from its container and carefully put it in the gob . tauten the ground up around it and irrigate the soil well .
Keep the undercoat moist but not waterlogged as the scratch plants grow .
How to Grow ‘Winter Density’ Lettuce
‘ Winter Density ’ does best in full sun , though good afternoon shade is ok as well .
In fact , if you live in a region that can get a surprise hot spell during the descent or spring , a little good afternoon shade can be a good matter . I ’ve been know to put umbrellas over my plant during unexpected heatwaves .
It ’s important to keep the ground moist and coolheaded . While ‘ Winter Density ’ wo n’t usually bolt in warm atmospheric condition , heat can make the leaves vitriolic .
Anylettuce will boltin too much heating system , since they ’re cool - weather condition plants , but this cultivar is a spot more large-minded to warmth than many other varieties .
Protecting the root with mulch can help forestall gall and bolt . I wish to stack some chaff around my lettuce plant to keep the ascendent nerveless and facilitate the soil retain wet .
endeavor to keep the soil moist but not hook wet . If the soil is torpid , it will guide to problems like ancestor guff . Allowing it to dry out can cause scrawny outgrowth and tough , acrimonious leaves .
you’re able to tell if you have the right amount of moisture by stand by your fingerbreadth in the soil . It should feel like a well - wrung - out leech all the way down .
When you sum moisture , be sure to water at soil level and try out not to splash water on the parting . You might need to employ a soaker hose , which is ideal for water dough .
If you worked in plenty of compost at planting clock time , then there is no demand to total additional plant food .
Because of its compact growth habit , this cultivar also grows well in container gardens or in place where you do n’t have a ton of elbow room .
You canlearn more about mature lettuce in containers in our templet .
Growing Tips
Maintenance
Keep weed far aside , especially while your industrial plant are young . Weeds compete for water and nutrient and can smother seedling . They also act as emcee to pestilence and disease .
If any outer leave are damaged or give , feel free to pull them off .
Otherwise , you could kind of forget about ‘ Winter Density ’ lettuce until they ’re ready for harvest .
Where to Buy ‘Winter Density’ Lettuce
‘ Winter Density ’ is a fairly common cultivar and you could find it at many retailers .
For lesson , High Mowing Organic Seedscarries seeds in 1/32 , one - eighth , one-half , or two ounce mailboat or one-half or one pound container .
Managing Pests and Disease
mostly immune to most pests and disease , punctuate plant might be infested byaphids .
They ’re also dependent to feeding bycabbage worms , flea beetles , andcabbage loopers . If you notice lowly , ragged hole in the center of the leaf , it ’s believably one of these pests .
And then there are the dreaded slugs and snails . By far , these are the most common pests I confront each year .
I use pellets to ensure them , but if you want some first-class crest and other management methods , inspect our pathfinder .
I find that once my plants get past the seedling stage visiting plague wo n’t bother them that much . If you want to quash the whole problem altogether , usefloating row covers .
‘ Winter Density ’ is resistant to most fungal diseases , but it ’s not immune to anything . chew the fat our pathfinder to lettuce diseases to learn what to watch for .
Bacterial folio spot , damping off , downy mould , and lettuce mosaic virus are the major issues it ’s possible to see .
Harvesting
Starting at about 55 days , you may harvest the heads as call for .
you may depart the plants in the garden as long as they do n’t protrude to dash , so it ’s best to harvest when you ’re quick to exhaust them and not sooner .
While the heads hive away well in the icebox for over a workweek , they ’ll last even longer in the garden .
The easy way to harvest is to take a sharp knife and cut the plant at its cornerstone , as close to the grease as you may .
When I need to reap several head and I acknowledge I wo n’t be able to rust them all at once , such as when a heatwave or heavy snow is come , I will dig down and take up some of the roots with the plant .
Having some roots attached keep the head freshman for longer .
Preserving
Wrap the integral header in a theme towel or cotton fiber textile and store it in the crisper drawer of the icebox .
If you harvest the heads with some roots attach , wrap these in a wet paper towel .
The head should last for a week to ten days without the roots , and up to two weeks with the roots entire .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Winter is Wonderful
A garden full of ‘ Winter Density ’ lettuce is my mind of a winter wonderland .
The leaves are crispy and sweet , with a juicy duck soup that calls to me both in the pawl days of summer and the eye of winter .
And for more data aboutgrowing other types of lettuce in your garden , chequer out these pathfinder next :
Photo by Kristine Lofgren © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . mathematical product photo via High Mowing Organic Seeds . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
