Lettuce, Loose Leaf Lettuce 'Black-Seeded Simpson'

Lactucasativa

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Lactuca (lak-TOO-kuh)
Species
sativa (sa-TEE-vuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Vegetables
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Graysville, Alabama

Little Rock, Arkansas

Lawndale, California

Mountain View, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Lady Lake, Florida

Miami, Florida

Milton, Florida

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Jacksonville, Illinois

Brookston, Indiana

Wichita, Kansas

Benton, Kentucky

Bethelridge, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Laurel, Mississippi

Blair, Nebraska

Salisbury, New Hampshire

Bayville, New Jersey

Jamestown, Ohio

Cranberry Twp, Pennsylvania

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Jonesville, South Carolina

Lenoir City, Tennessee

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas(2 reports)

Spicewood, Texas

Gloucester, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dayton, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Madison, Wisconsin

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

11
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
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R
Downingtown, PA | July 2016 | positive

I've grown this lettuce cultivar since the 1970's myself in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and my father grew it way back into the 1950's. It...Read More

M
Jamestown, OH | November 2011 | positive

Black Seeded Simpson is a very nice looseleaf lettuce. Its light green frilly leaves seem to grow overnight! I had some accidentally po...Read More

J
Lady Lake, FL | April 2011 | negative

Like many gardeners, this was my first lettuce. Having moved on to grow a variety of lettuces, this one can't compare. Productive, lovel...Read More

G
Virginia Beach, VA | June 2009 | positive

I didn't know anything about the growing characteristics of this lettuce type before putting it in my small raised bed garden. Started h...Read More

M
Coeur D Alene, ID (Zone 5a) | September 2005 | positive

Delicious lettuce. Very little bitterness, and lasted well into summer. I'll grow it again next year, for sure.

T
Spokane Valley, WA (Zone 5b) | July 2005 | positive

As a first-time lettuce grower, I knew nothing about cultivars when I scanned the cheap seed racks and decided to try this one. Lucky me...Read More

B
Bethelridge, KY (Zone 6a) | June 2005 | positive

I have grown this variety for years, great tasting, easy to grow, and does stand up to the heat. The more you pick it, the more it grows.

L
Dayton, WA | December 2004 | positive

This old stand-by is quite bolt-resistant, and given really nitrogen-rich soil, it can get huge. I've grown them over 2 feet in diameter!

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | October 2004 | neutral

Sow seeds in early spring and again after the very hot days of summer are over. In cooler climates, you can make 2 to 3 spring plantings,...Read More

T
Brandon, MS (Zone 8a) | October 2004 | neutral

Crisp textured loose heads have broad, light green frilled and crumpled leaves with a delicate flavor. Ready 45 days after sowing. Sow ...Read More

W
Spicewood, TX (Zone 8b) | June 2004 | positive

Easy to grow. I agree about the heat resistance ~ this one and buttercrunch always seem the last to bolt in my zone 8 garden.

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | April 2004 | positive

An old open Pollinated variety grown for years in this area. Withstands some heat and stays tasty.

J
J
Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) | January 2003 | positive

This lettuce has been one of my favorites. I find that it can take a little more heat than some other types before becoming bitter tasting.

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | September 2002 | positive

The standard to beat in leaf-lettuce. Very old open-pollinated variety, never fails to provide a good crop even in mediocre growing seas...Read More

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