A reader asks about varieties of lettuce that hold better in the heat.

In the comment area of this post on June 30,,,,Laura W writes
I just looked at a couple of your posts on keeping lettuce going in the heat. I have put a contraption in my garden- an old rack covered with some old fabric- to cast shade on my main lettuce patch.
Are there any varieties of lettuce that you like for Summer? Varieties that hold better in the heat?

As long time readers know I’m a big fan of lettuce.  Thus, immediately upon  reading Laura’s question  I planned to give a reply in a post rather than the comment area.

Since it is now Aug 29, I’m sure you’ve guessed that things did not go as planned  A huge apology to Laura W! 

So ..Why So Late in Replying?

Too many physical problems to deal with. Including either not sleeping or not being able to stay awake. And not having feeling in my hands (neuropathy made worse now by the walker)  making it impossible to type at times , and other stuff that made the last 8 weeks difficult at best to do anything other than getting from one day to the next. 

I still found a way to smile. I’ll share it with you in the block below:

Heat Resistant Varieties

I grew Jericho and Anuenue for the first time in 2015

Here are my comments that I wrote in the post https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-varieties-to-keep-you-eating-all-year-or-at-least-10-months/

“ “Both lettuces were developed especially for hot weather; Jericho in Israel and Anuenue in Hawaii.

“I succession plant all my lettuce, but I make sure hot weather varieties are part of the last planting to go in the garden in late spring.

“Jericho is a light green Romaine that is not my favorite taste UNTIL nothing else is available. Then I’m so happy to have it! I’ve picked it so much that it’s a funny sight to see now, with a stalk that is about 18 inches tall and only two leaves at the top of it

‘Anuenue was wonderful! It’s leaf is more rounded and a bit thicker than some lettuces and a much deeper green than Jericho. I only regret that I didn’t plant it earlier and a lot more of it. It’s held well in the heat and is the only lettuce in the garden that has not stalked as I write this.” (July 2015)

Sierra Batavia

My comments in  the posr https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-sierra-batavia-a-new-favorite/ in 2013:

“It’s great asset is its ability to withstand hot weather without wilting or bolting. ( And by the way — this doesn’t mean that if you go out at noon on a hot day that you won’t see it somewhat wilted like many other things in the garden.  It just means that it recovers nicely and stays delicious.)

“Sierra Batavia lettuce forms open heads with  beautiful pale green thick leaves with frilled edges that are blushed with pink at the ends. It really is gorgeous in the garden.

“Regular readers will know that I succession plant lettuce March to May to insure a continuous supply through as much of the summer as possible.  I transplanted Sierra Batavia into the garden in the end of May. I was still eating that lettuce in August.  It was strong but not bitter.”

Black Seeded Simpson

My comments from  this  post in  2015 https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-variety-is-one-secret-to-enjoying-it-well-into-summer/

“One of the first that I plant in the spring, this 150 year old variety is a dependable loose leaf heirloom that performs well when other lettuces won’t.  Even as things heat up and it starts to stalk, I can still get eatable leaves, especially after a rain.”

I’ve not grown the improved version called Simpson  Elite.

Red Oak Leaf

Every year a few pieces of this excellent lettuce comes up with my Winter Density. I should tag it before it stalks and sets seed . That doesn’t happen so its seed is saved with the Winter Density.

It’s one of the most heat-tolerant and slow-to-bolt lettuce varieties and resists turning bitter.It’s’also beautiful!  It’s been so long since I bought the original seed, that I’m not sure I have the correct name.

But Royal Oak Leaf  and Red Oak Leaf should both live up to expectations.

Tips

There are more lettuces that are heat tolerant but the ones I’ve listed above are good ones to start with.

Each variety can perform a bit differently Try at least 3 different ones to increase your chances of getting one that will do best for you. 

Plant in various spots and include some spots of partial shade.  You’’ll be amazed at how some of these will outshine the others. I think Laura will get good results from  the set up she plans for shading her lettuce.

Whether you grow a lettuce that is touted for heat tolerance or not.. know this:

I was eating lettuce in 100 degree summers long before I ever saw a mention about heat resistant lettuces.  If you follow my unconventional methods you can be eating lettuce well into  summer even if you’re  not growing a variety that is specifically heat resistant.

If you’re interested in knowing how, I’ve linked below to 6 posts that will give you the information you need.. And there are pictures to better help you know what to pick and what to leave.

https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-harvesting-for-dinner-on-july-16th

xhttps://tendingmygarden.com/addendum-to-the-post-lettuce-harvesting-for-dinner-on-july-16th/

https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-in-100-degree-heat/

https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-bitter-secrets-to-keeping-it-tasty/

zhttps://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-eating-fresh-even-after-it-stalks/

https://tendingmygarden.com/lettuce-secrets-to-getting-eatable-lettuce-well-into-summer/

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