Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, 1850's Heirloom, Organic options Available

The Black-Seeded Simpson is one of the oldest and most successful heirlooms in North American history. It was officially introduced to the public around 1850 and was famously championed by the legendary seedsman Peter Henderson in the mid-to-late 19th century.

Historically, it became a staple of the American homestead during and after the Civil War because of its "cut-and-come-again" nature, allowing families to harvest fresh greens from a single patch for months. It was bred to be exceptionally hardy, becoming the standard by which all other leaf lettuces were measured for over 150 years.

The Simpson Family Tree: While the Black-Seeded variety is the famous standard, it was actually preceded by the White-Seeded Simpson, an even older 18th-century heirloom. The White-Seeded variety is remarkably similar in flavor and texture, though the Black-Seeded version was eventually favored by 19th-century gardeners for its superior heat resistance and slightly larger, more ruffled frame. We have not been able to find seds for White-Simpson so if you know a source, send it our way please. 

• Lightning Fast Growth: One of the quickest lettuces to reach maturity, often ready for baby-leaf harvest in just 21 days.
• Heat Tolerant: Unlike many lettuces that bolt (go to seed) at the first hint of summer, Black-Seeded Simpson is remarkably slow to bolt and stays sweet even as temperatures rise.
• "Cut-and-Come-Again": Designed for multiple harvests. Snip the outer leaves, and the plant will continue to produce fresh center growth all season.
• Delicate Texture: Features "crinkled" leaves that are exceptionally tender and succulent, with a mild, never-bitter flavor.
• Vibrant Color: The bright, light-green leaves add a fresh, "neon" pop to garden beds and salad bowls.

1. Sowing the Seeds:
Lettuce seeds are tiny and require a little light to germinate.

• When: Sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch every 2 weeks until early summer.
• Depth: Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep. Just a light dusting of soil is all they need.
• Germination: Expect sprouts in 7–10 days.

2. The Perfect Location:
This lettuce thrives in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. While it loves the sun, it is the perfect candidate for Partial Shade, especially if you want to keep harvesting well into the warmer months of June and July.

3. Maintenance:

• Spacing: If you want full-sized mounds, thin seedlings to 8–10 inches apart. For baby greens, you can leave them crowded at 2 inches apart.
• Watering: Lettuce is composed mostly of water! Keep the soil consistently moist. Drought is the number one cause of bitterness in home-grown lettuce.
• Harvesting: You can begin harvesting individual leaves once they reach 3 inches in height. Always harvest in the cool of the morning for the crispest texture.

Because of its ruffled texture, Black-Seeded Simpson is the king of "dressing-catchers"—its crinkles hold onto vinaigrettes perfectly. It is the essential lettuce for a classic Wilted Lettuce Salad (tossed with warm bacon dressing) or as a fresh, crunchy topping for summer burgers and sandwiches.

Garden Tip: If you are short on space, this is the best lettuce for containers and window boxes. Its shallow root system and mounding habit make it thrive in just a few inches of soil! 🥗🧺✨