Lactuca sativa ‘Winter Density’

Except you often experiment with completely different lettuce varieties, it may be simple to suppose that there isn’t that a lot distinction between them.

However then you definitely chunk into ‘Winter Density,’ and it’s like opening the door to a hidden world.

‘Winter Density’ has a juicy, crisp texture and a candy taste that stands out out of your frequent store-bought romaine.

Plus, it’s so adaptable and simple to develop that you may pop some seeds within the floor and mainly neglect about it till it’s time to benefit from the leaves.

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When you’ve grown lettuce earlier than, then the routine – if not, make sure to take a look at our information to rising lettuce for all of the fundamentals. ‘Winter Density’ doesn’t require any particular care – or a lot care in any respect.

Arising, this information will cowl all the pieces that you must know, together with:

Cultivation and Historical past

Nobody is certain precisely the place this incredible cultivar got here from, although we all know it was bred within the 1800s in England.

It was launched to France and have become wildly in style there within the late 1800s and early 1900s.

‘Winter Density’ is a cross between a butterhead and a romaine lettuce, with eight-inch-tall heads that mature in about 55 to 65 days.

It has an upright development behavior and a dense coronary heart. It’s tolerant of frost and can produce properly even in partial solar. It received’t bolt in reasonable warmth or a freeze, both.

You may additionally see it marketed as ‘Craquerelle du Midi’ or ‘Craquante D’Avignon.’

After harvest, the heads can last as long as per week when saved correctly, which is longer than most lettuce cultivars.

‘Winter Density’ Propagation

Lettuce ought to be planted instantly open air within the spring, or within the fall when the climate is cool, however there are nonetheless sufficient freeze-free days predicted within the forecast for the vegetation to mature.

You possibly can typically begin harvesting your ‘Winter Density’ in round 55 days, so plan accordingly.

This lettuce grows compact and upright, so you’ll be able to squeeze fairly a number of right into a small space.

From Seed

You possibly can select to direct-sow ‘Winter Density’ seed into the backyard or if you wish to get a head begin, you can begin seeds indoors in containers for transplanting.

To direct sow seeds, put together your backyard mattress by working in loads of well-rotted compost.

I consider compost because the do-it-all soil modification. It aids water retention, provides vitamins, and improves drainage. Amending with compost could make sandy soil extra water-retentive and enhance drainage in clay.

Sow the seeds about 4 inches aside. Both place them on the highest of the soil or simply cowl them with an eighth of an inch of soil. The seeds want mild to germinate, so don’t bury them too deep.

The problem is to maintain the seeds moist when you watch for them to germinate. When seeds sit on the highest of the soil, they have an inclination to dry out rapidly. Within the absence of rain, make sure that to maintain the soil evenly moist.

When you want to begin seeds indoors, fill a seed tray with a seed-starting medium, and sow the seeds on the floor of the medium, and maintain it moist. Chances are you’ll must mist them a few times a day to take care of adequate moisture.

The seeds want about six hours or extra of sunshine per day, so present supplemental lighting for those who don’t have a spot with sufficient mild on your indoor seeds.

You possibly can transfer the seedlings open air after they have not less than two true leaves and as quickly because the soil may be labored.

‘Winter Density’ doesn’t thoughts somewhat frost, however the soil can’t be too soggy and moist. Earlier than you transplant, harden the seedlings off a bit.

Hardening off is the method of steadily exposing the vegetation to the rising situations open air in order that they aren’t shocked by the transition from the comfy indoor setting to the skin world.

Transplanting

Transplanting ‘Winter Density’ seedlings began indoors or bought from a nursery is fairly easy.

Put together the bottom as described above, then dig holes the identical depth and width because the containers the vegetation are at the moment rising in, spacing them 4 inches aside.

Gently take away every lettuce seedling from its container and punctiliously place it within the gap. Agency the soil up round it and water the soil effectively.

Maintain the bottom moist however not waterlogged because the lettuce vegetation develop.

Tips on how to Develop ‘Winter Density’ Lettuce

‘Winter Density’ does greatest in full solar, although afternoon shade is ok as effectively.

Actually, for those who stay in a area that may get a shock sizzling spell in the course of the fall or spring, somewhat afternoon shade is usually a good factor. I’ve been identified to place umbrellas over my vegetation throughout sudden heatwaves.

It’s vital to maintain the soil moist and funky. Whereas ‘Winter Density’ received’t often bolt in heat climate, warmth could make the leaves bitter.

Any lettuce will bolt in an excessive amount of warmth, since they’re cool-weather vegetation, however this cultivar is a little more tolerant to heat than many different varieties.

Defending the roots with mulch might help stop bitterness and bolting. I prefer to heap some straw round my lettuce vegetation to maintain the roots cool and assist the soil retain moisture.

Attempt to maintain the soil moist however not soaking moist. If the soil is soggy, it is going to result in issues like root rot. Permitting it to dry out could cause stunted development and difficult, bitter leaves.

You possibly can inform you probably have the correct amount of moisture by sticking your finger within the soil. It ought to really feel like a well-wrung-out sponge all the way in which down.

If you add moisture, make sure to water at soil stage and take a look at to not splash water on the leaves. You may wish to use a soaker hose, which is good for irrigating lettuce.

When you labored in loads of compost at planting time, then there is no such thing as a want so as to add further fertilizer.

Due to its compact development behavior, this cultivar additionally grows effectively in container gardens or in spots the place you don’t have a ton of room.

You possibly can be taught extra about rising lettuce in containers in our information.

Rising Suggestions

• Plant in full solar or partial afternoon shade.
• Amend the soil with compost at planting time.
• Maintain the soil constantly moist.

Upkeep

Maintain weeds far-off, particularly whereas your vegetation are younger. Weeds compete for water and vitamins and might smother seedlings. In addition they act as hosts to pests and illness.

After which there are the dreaded slugs and snails. By far, these are the most typical pests I face every year.

I exploit pellets to regulate them, however if you need some wonderful suggestions and different administration strategies, go to our information.

I discover that after my vegetation get previous the seedling stage visiting pests received’t trouble them that a lot. If you wish to keep away from the entire drawback altogether, use floating row covers.

‘Winter Density’ is proof against most fungal illnesses, nevertheless it’s not proof against something. Go to our information to lettuce illnesses to be taught what to observe for.

Bacterial leaf spot, damping off, downy mildew, and lettuce mosaic virus are the most important points it’s attainable to come across.

Harvesting

Beginning at about 55 days, you’ll be able to harvest the heads as wanted.

You possibly can depart the vegetation within the backyard so long as they don’t begin to bolt, so it’s greatest to reap whenever you’re able to eat them and never sooner.

Whereas the heads retailer effectively within the fridge for over per week, they’ll final even longer within the backyard.

The simplest solution to harvest is to take a pointy knife and lower the plant at its base, as near the soil as you’ll be able to.

Once I want to reap a number of heads and I do know I received’t be capable of eat them , reminiscent of when a heatwave or heavy snow is coming, I’ll dig down and take up among the roots with the plant.

Having some roots hooked up retains the pinnacle more energizing for longer.

Preserving

Wrap the complete head in a paper towel or cotton material and retailer it within the crisper drawer of the fridge.

When you harvested the heads with some roots hooked up, wrap these in a moist paper towel.

The top ought to final for per week to 10 days with out the roots, and as much as two weeks with the roots intact.