Lettuce : Garden Babies

Baby butterheads, ideal for growing in containers, slow to bolt

Garden Babies are brand new baby butterheads originally developed for the Japanese luxury market where a premium is put on flavor and quality. These cute, perfectly formed little butterhead rosettes have softly folded leaves, a lovely buttery texture and outstanding sweet taste. Ideal for growing in containers, Garden Babies are slow to bolt, heat tolerant, and make compact 5 to 6 inch heads at maturity. Perfect for individual servings and absolutely delicious with blue cheese dressing!

Asteraceae Lactuca sativa

This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Lettuce: Butterhead / Boston / Bibb, Green

Garden Babies

Butterhead / Boston / Bibb varieties have soft, loosely packed heads, very good flavor and buttery texture. They are fairly easy to grow and tolerate some heat. These varieties are quite popular in Europe, but have been increasing in popularity in the United States.

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Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 53-73 (Spring/Summer), 55-78 (Fall/Winter)
Growing Habit: -
Hardiness: Half Hardy

Garden Babies are slow to bolt and are heat tolerant.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Fall Transplant, Fall
Growing Season: Short, Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Cool, Warm

Lettuce needs to grow quickly for best quality. This can only be done by giving the plants everything they need. Does best when planted in early spring or late summer. The young plants are vulnerable to weeds, so keep well weeded. Their roots are shallow so be careful with the hoe. Does best when planted in early spring or late summer. Lettuce likes full sun except in hot summer climates where it prefers some shade, especially in the afternoon. Add plenty of compost to the soil to encourage rapid growth. Water evenly and moderately to prevent bitterness.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 45°F - 75°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 40°F

When: Lettuce germinates quite well in cool (40˚ F) soil and will continue to do so until it gets up to 75˚ F (after this it gets erratic).
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Part shade (Warm)

In hotter climates it doesn’t mind part shade (and may even benefit from it).

Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cool)

In cool climates Lettuce needs full sun.
Water: Moderate

Lettuce is largely composed of water and it responds to irrigation by giving a larger and better tasting harvest. If you think the plants might need water they probably do.
Feeder: Heavy

Lettuce has a weak root system and isn't a very efficient feeder, so the soil needs to be quite fertile. Its main requirement is for nitrogen, but it also needs moderate amounts of potassium and phosphorus.
Suitability: Tolerates light frost, Partial shade, Needs summer shade
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes

These small rosettes are ideal for growing in containers because they make compact heads. May be grouped together. Put them in a cool place and keep them well watered.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Green
Fruit Size: - "
Plant Height: 5.0 - 6.0"
Plant Diameter: 5.0 - 6.0"
Hardiness Zone: 3-11
Disease Resistance
Taste Profile: Sweet, buttery taste.
Rotation Group: Leaves: Brassicas + Leafy Greens

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Plant Guide

Lettuce : Garden Babies

Baby butterheads, ideal for growing in containers, slow to bolt

Garden Babies

Basics