There are countless lettuces to choose from. And here’s good news: the “exotic” varieties are a lot easier to grow and much more nutritious and colorful than that old standby, iceberg.

I like to start my lettuce indoors, even though it’s not necessary. It gives me a head start on the season, it allows me to arrange them somewhat artfully in their beds, and maybe best of all, I can share them with friends and co-workers.

Sowing the seeds is the essence of simplicity. I Fill a container with potting soil, sprinkle some seeds on top, add a little more potting soil, water, and enclose it in a plastic bag to form a mini-greenhouse. In southwestern Connecticut, where I live, I plant the seeds by mid-March, and usually, they sprout in 7 to 10 days. When sprouts appear, I remove the plastic and put the containers under fluorescent lights.

When the seedlings have a set or two of true leaves, I transplant them into individual cups, which I’ve filled with garden soil. A week or two after that, weather permitting, I set them outside where they are sheltered from the wind so they can acclimate to real-world conditions.

Below you’ll see some of my favorite varieties. You can check out these, and many more, at Fedco Seeds and Seed Savers Exchange.

Cracoviensis, a French heirloom, has been a reliable producer in my garden.	Forellenschluss, speckled romaine, is a colorful and popular Austrian heirloom.
For the deep red color, it’s hard to beat Merlot.	Bright green and yummy, Strela anchors the salade palette.
Buttercrunch lettuce is slow to bolt.	Oreilles du diable (devil’s ears) adds muted tones to the salad bowl.

So get out those seed catalogs and make your selections.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

10 Plant Growing Trays (No Drain Holes)

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Quantity 10 - Durable Plastic - NO Drain Holes. Perfect for use as a drip tray, hydroponic growing and seed starting. Approx: 21" by 11" (top measurement). 20" by 10" bottom of tray - See product description below for precise measurements. Accomodates 20" x 10" Sure to Grow Hydroponic Grow Pads and Micro-Mats Perfectly Reusable - Great for Greenhouse, Seedlings, wheatgrass, microgreens and more.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon