Speckled Lettuce | Historic Mennonite Ontario Heirloom

The story of Speckled Lettuce is deeply woven into the agricultural history of early North American settlement.

• Pennsylvania to Ontario Roots: Carried northward across the border by Mennonite settlers in the early 1800s, this variety was carefully preserved on homesteads as families established new farms in Waterloo County, Ontario.
• The Urias Martin Family Legacy: Maintained through generations by seed steward Urias Martin, this heirloom represents a living link to the traditional garden foodways of early nineteenth-century Mennonite communities, valued for its reliability and tender quality.

Speckled Lettuce is an absolute powerhouse of visual charm and meltingly tender texture, offering a stunning look in the garden and on the table.

• The Plant & Leaves: Forms a lush loose-leaf rosette of thick, juicy green leaves delicately tinged and speckled with vibrant red.
• Flavor & Texture: Supremely succulent and tender with a wonderfully mild, sweet flavor that never turns bitter prematurely.
• Culinary Uses: The ultimate fresh salad green! Toss the juicy leaves with a light vinaigrette to highlight their refreshing crunch and gorgeous red-speckled coloration.

Speckled Lettuce is a fast-growing, cool-season annual loose-leaf green tailored for reliable spring and autumn garden production

"Speckled Lettuce is a breathtaking heirloom with roots stretching back to early 1800s Mennonite migrations. We love its thick, juicy green leaves delicately tinged with red and its exceptionally mild, sweet flavor. Preserved through generations by the Martin family in Ontario, it is a true piece of living history that performs wonderfully in the home garden."

• Spring & Fall Direct Sowing: Direct sow seeds in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or plant a late-summer crop for a crisp autumn harvest. Press seeds lightly into the soil, as they require a touch of light to germinate best.
• Spacing & Thinning: Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart to allow the loose-leaf rosettes to fully develop their signature red-speckled coloration.
• Succession Planting: Sow small batches every 2 to 3 weeks during cool weather to ensure an uninterrupted, endless supply of fresh, juicy salad greens.