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Green Boston-type butterhead lettuce
Asteraceae
Organic leafy vegetable seeds
Organic 'Nancy' Boston lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Product code : BIOVO-0045
'Nancy' is Boston-type butterhead lettuce producing large uniform heads with well-filled hearts. Green leaves are thick yet tender, with a mild melting texture. Maturity generally falls around 50–52 days according to growing method. Harvest once the head is full but still yielding, before bolting. Sow small amounts every two or three weeks to stagger tender heads from spring into fall. Steady moisture and light afternoon shade during heat preserve texture. Harvest early in the morning, wash carefully, and chill promptly. Documented resistances improve reliability without replacing airflow, rotation, or splash-free watering. In this overview, inspect Organic 'Nancy' Boston lettuce regularly and adjust care to its actual stage of growth.
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Annual vegetable
Discover the plant
Common nameGreen Boston lettuce, butterhead lettuce
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusLactuca
Speciessativa
CultivarNancy
TypeGreen Boston-type butterhead lettuce
Botanical nameLactuca sativa
Reproducible seedsYes
Organic 'Nancy' Boston lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is green butterhead lettuce valued for large uniform heads, a well-filled heart, and thick yet remarkably tender leaves. Medium-green outer foliage surrounds a paler mild supple centre with the melting texture typical of Boston lettuce. It forms a softer head than iceberg but is more organized than open leaf lettuce. It suits delicate salads, sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, and fresh garnishes. Large intact leaves may also serve as edible cups for several cold fillings while the tender heart is sliced. Its compact shape also makes each mature head simple to portion for everyday meals.
Direct-sow as soon as soil can be worked or start plants three to four weeks before transplanting. Barely cover seed and keep it cool for uniform emergence. Space plants 25–30 cm apart so every head develops a full heart and air circulates. Choose loose fertile soil enriched with mature compost, moisture-retentive, and well drained. Grow in sun during cool weather; in summer, provide light afternoon shade and steady moisture to preserve tenderness and delay bolting. Water transplants immediately and keep the shallow root zone evenly moist throughout head formation. Mulch lightly once the soil has warmed to moderate rapid moisture changes.
Maturity generally takes approximately 50 to 52 days according to direct seeding, transplanting, and desired size. Harvest the entire head once full but still yielding under light pressure, before the central stem elongates. The variety has resistance to bottom rot and lettuce mosaic virus. These resistances do not guarantee immunity. Provide airflow, avoid splashing, remove severely affected plants, and rotate with unrelated crops. Wash harvested heads carefully, dry them, and refrigerate promptly in a clean container. Pick early in the morning for the crispest leaves, and inspect the centre before storage.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
Barely cover, approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm (1/8 to 1/4 in)
Spacing / density
Thin to approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows
Germination temperature
Approximately 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F); germination declines sharply in warm soil
Germination time
Approximately 5 to 10 days at 10–20°C; temperatures above 24°C can reduce or delay germination.
Sowing period
Early spring as soon as soil can be worked; late summer for an autumn harvest
Propagation
Direct sowing or indoor sowing three to four weeks before transplanting
Growing method
Growing 'Nancy' lettuce from seed. Sow on the surface of fine moist soil and cover only 0.3–0.5 cm. Thin or transplant gently to preserve airflow around the developing low rosette closing into a large uniform supple butterhead. 'Nancy' Boston lettuce produces the expected harvest form: round well-filled head with thick tender green leaves and a pale heart. Protect the developing crop from soil splash and rough handling. Feed moderately; soft, overfed leaves are harder to cool and store. Choose a position for 'Nancy' with full sun to partial shade without sacrificing airflow or watering access. Use successive small sowings instead of one crowded stand, pausing during unsuitable heat. Space the planting thin to approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in), with 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) between rows to preserve access for watering, inspection, and harvest. Inspect leaf undersides and the centre of each plant before deciding on treatment for the rosette. Because its habit is low rosette closing into a large uniform supple butterhead, this lettuce needs enough room for routine care and neighbouring plants. Sow the crop in cool, finely prepared soil and keep the shallow seed zone evenly moist. Harvest after dew dries, shade the leaves promptly, and remove bolting plants before the next succession. Harvest the planting at the leaf, rosette, or head stage described for the product. Cut with a clean tool after dew dries, shade the harvest immediately, and remove bolting or diseased plants before they affect the next succession.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Care level
Easy
Watering
'Nancy' Boston lettuce has a compact, shallow root system, so keep the soil evenly moist while its round well-filled head with thick tender green leaves and a pale heart develop. Water 'Nancy' Boston lettuce gently at soil level, let the surface begin drying before the next irrigation, and never leave its crown in standing water. Direct 'Nancy' Boston lettuce's water beside the rosette so it does not remain trapped in the forming head. Check container-grown 'Nancy' Boston lettuce daily in warm wind, but empty its saucer promptly.
Soil type
'Nancy' grows best in loose, fertile, aerated soil enriched with finished compost. Test the soil before making corrective mineral additions. In the 'Nancy' planting, the shallow root zone must stay evenly moist without becoming saturated while the round well-filled head with thick tender green leaves and a pale heart develops. Break surface crusts, improve heavy drainage, and avoid fresh manure or beds carrying recent disease in related greens. Containers for 'Nancy' need fine moisture-retentive mix from which surplus water can escape freely. Mulch only after conditions suit the crop, keeping the crown uncovered.
Fertilization
Prepare 'Nancy' with finished compost and moderate fertility before sowing. When tending 'Nancy', in an already fertile bed, one light balanced application is more useful than repeated feeding while the round well-filled head with thick tender green leaves and a pale heart develops. Apply only the labelled rate to moist soil and water granular product into the root zone. For 'Nancy' Boston lettuce, heavy or late nitrogen can produce soft leaves that are harder to cool after harvest. In containers, divide necessary feeding into smaller applications because drainage removes nutrients. Stop or reduce feeding when 'Nancy' already shows balanced growth.
Moisture
Evenly moist soil without saturation
Seasonal care
Seasonal care for 'Nancy' lettuce. 'Nancy' Boston lettuce begins with season-aware timing—early spring as soon as soil can be worked; late summer for an autumn harvest—so compare that guidance with the actual spring or autumn at your site. Sow and barely cover with approximately 0.3 to 0.5 cm of mix in approximately 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F); germination drops sharply in warm soil; the working germination range is 5 to 10 days, with moisture held steady rather than saturated. Prepare a fine, fertile, well-drained seedbed and keep the shallow root zone evenly moist from emergence onward. Thin while seedlings are small so the remaining rosettes receive light and moving air without root competition. Water at soil level in the morning, avoiding both a dry crust and standing moisture inside the developing crown. If potted, follow this provision for 'Nancy' Boston lettuce: at least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 5 to 7 L per plant. Recheck root-zone moisture whenever heat or wind increases evaporation. During warm weather, afternoon shade and renewed sowings can preserve leaf quality, but no placement prevents bolting indefinitely. Check for slugs, chewing insects, and damaged outer leaves, using barriers and sanitation before considering any treatment on an edible crop. Follow the supplied harvest cue—approximately 50 to 52 days—then cut while leaves are crisp and before the centre elongates or flavour turns strongly bitter. For an autumn crop, sow only when local summer heat is easing and enough growing time remains before persistent freeze. Remove bolted or diseased plants promptly, chill sound leaves after harvest, and leave the bed clean for the next succession.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
At least 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) deep and approximately 5 to 7 L per plant
Growing 'Nancy' lettuce in containers. Use a container at least 20–25 cm deep with numerous holes and allow approximately 25–30 cm diameter per mature head. A wide box may also hold a second small sowing started two weeks later. Fill with light fertile well-drained mix, place in sun during spring, then light partial shade during strong heat. Water as soon as the surface begins to dry and never leave standing water in the saucer. Cut the entire head at maturity when it is well filled but still yielding. Keep one head per usable space so air circulates and foliage dries quickly after watering. Raise the container slightly, empty the saucer, and rotate the box weekly for even growth. Fine mulch reduces evaporation without touching the crown. During a heat wave, move the pot to a bright location receiving afternoon shade; heat tolerance never replaces cool steady moisture. Sow several seeds in a second small pot two or three weeks later to replace a bolting head. Harvest in the morning and chill immediately. Inspect drainage after heavy rain and remove every yellow or slimy leaf. Use clean mix when a previous lettuce plant was diseased. Keep the saucer empty, preserve airflow around each head, and label the sowing date.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
Approximately 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in)
Width / spread
Approximately 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Medium green outside, pale green in the heart
Foliage type
Broad, thick, supple, tender leaves forming a butterhead
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Low rosette closing into a large uniform supple butterhead
Fragrance
Mild fresh crisp flavour typical of butterhead lettuce
Bloom period
As 'Nancy' bolts, leaf or root harvest quality changes. Keep the root zone evenly moist during bloom. 'Nancy' Boston lettuce flowers only after shifting away from harvest growth. Watch new flowers for recovery after stressful weather. For Green Boston lettuce, its seed stalk becomes taller and less harvest-focused. Avoid spraying while beneficial insects are working. Lengthening days or stress can hasten 'Nancy''s bolting. Water at soil level while flowers remain open. For 'Nancy' Boston lettuce, leave selected blooms only when seed or insects matter. Remove Green Boston lettuce before seed disperses if volunteers are unwanted.
Fruiting
Nancy butterhead lettuce is ready for the table as its leaves gather into a soft head. It should not be expected to become as hard as an iceberg lettuce. Harvest at the preferred size before bolting, keeping the tender leaves clean during cutting. Flowering and seed production occur after the desirable leafy stage; they are not needed for a successful butterhead crop or a full salad harvest.
Days to maturity
Approximately 50 to 52 days
Harvest
Begin checking at approximately 48 days and generally harvest in 50–52 days once the head is full, well formed, and still slightly yielding under the hand. Cut at soil level early in the morning with a clean knife, retain a few sound wrapper leaves to protect the heart, and chill immediately. Wash only before use and refrigerate in a perforated bag. Harvest promptly if the central stem elongates, the heart loosens, or flavour becomes more bitter.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Radishes, green onions, and low herbs may fill gaps around young 'Nancy' if they leave before the rosette reaches full width. In the 'Nancy' planting, protect the open centre of the low rosette closing into a large uniform supple butterhead from soil splash and crowding. Follow 'Nancy' Boston lettuce with an unrelated crop and keep diseased lettuce residue away from the next succession. Remove any neighbour that begins competing for light, moisture, airflow, or harvest access. In the 'Nancy' Boston lettuce planting, companions should organize space around the round well-filled head with thick tender green leaves and a pale heart, not make washing, inspection, or rapid cooling more difficult. Use companion planting to organize succession and diversity, not as a substitute for sound crop care. Reassess the arrangement around 'Nancy' as both crops approach mature size.
Plants to avoid
Celery parsley
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Leaves and tender centre, thoroughly washed; avoid very bitter bolted plants
'Nancy' lettuce in the kitchen. Crisp 'Nancy' salad — Separate the tender leaves, rinse them in cold water, and dry thoroughly in a salad spinner. Whisk 15 mL white-wine vinegar with 5 mL Dijon mustard, 30 mL olive oil, black pepper, and a small pinch of salt. Place 150 g cooked green lentils, half a sliced cucumber, and two thinly sliced radishes in a bowl. Add half the dressing and toss. Fold in the lettuce only at the last moment, adding more dressing as needed so the leaves are lightly coated rather than weighed down. Finish with chopped chives and toasted sunflower seeds. Serve immediately as a light lunch or alongside an omelette. Keep harvested heads cool and rinse away soil from the leaf bases. Discard leaves that are slimy, badly bruised, or decayed. Use a clean board and bowl after handling unwashed garden produce. Refrigerate unused dry leaves in a covered container lined with a clean towel, and store dressing separately; an assembled salad quickly loses the crisp texture that suits this lettuce.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How does Boston lettuce differ from iceberg?
Boston lettuce belongs to the butterhead group. It forms a supple rounded head with a tender heart and thick yet melting leaves. Iceberg produces a much firmer tighter brittle head. 'Nancy' should therefore be harvested when full but still slightly yielding rather than waiting for hardness. Its large leaves separate easily for salads or lettuce cups while the heart may be eaten whole. Harvest early in the morning, keep the head shaded, and chill promptly. Wash between leaves, use slightly marked portions first, and discard every slimy, mouldy, or abnormal-smelling leaf. Preserve the tender heart until serving for its best flavour and texture.
When should a 'Nancy' head be harvested?
Begin checking at approximately 48 days. The head is ready once it appears full, the heart is well filled, and it still yields slightly under gentle pressure. Harvest generally at 50–52 days, earlier in heat or later when growth is slow. An elongating central stem, opening heart, or more bitter flavour signals bolting. Cut early in the morning and chill immediately to preserve tender texture. After cutting, wash carefully between leaves and refrigerate without delay. Do not leave a mature head in the garden for several days when heat is forecast because its delicate texture may deteriorate quickly. Inspect every successive batch regularly.
Which resistances are documented for 'Nancy'?
'Nancy' lettuce has confirmed resistance to bottom rot and lettuce mosaic virus. These traits reduce specific risks, but they do not replace sound growing practices or provide complete immunity. For best results, grow it in well-drained soil, allow enough spacing for airflow, and water near the soil to limit splashing on the leaves. Rotate lettuce with unrelated crops, remove affected tissue promptly, and clean tools before moving to a healthy area. Continue inspecting every successive sowing because problems not covered by these documented resistances may still appear when weather, moisture, or garden conditions favour them. Healthy, uninterrupted growth also helps the plant form a full, tender head.
How can poor summer germination be avoided?
Nancy lettuce germinates best around 10–20°C, so summer failures often begin with a seedbed that stays too warm. Pre-moisten the row, sow in the cool morning or evening, and barely cover seed by 0.3–0.5 cm so light still reaches it. Shade the surface temporarily with light cloth held above the soil, and mist often enough to prevent a dry crust during the 7–10-day emergence period. Remove the cover as seedlings appear and increase airflow. When outdoor soil cannot be cooled, start seed in a clean tray in a cooler room, then harden young plants gradually and transplant before roots crowd. Keep the crown at the soil surface. A second small sowing is safer than repeatedly flooding a hot bed. Once germination succeeds, gentle watering and afternoon shade help the tender butterhead seedlings continue without an abrupt heat check.
Can 'Nancy' be grown in a container?
Yes. Use a well-drained pot or box at least 20–25 cm deep and allow approximately 25–30 cm per mature head. Rich but light potting mix limits waterlogging and remains easy to irrigate. Place the container in sun during cool weather, then light partial shade during strong heat. Check moisture daily because shallow roots dry quickly. For a well-filled head, keep one plant per usable space and hold the crown above the mix. Harvest the entire head when it is full but still yielding, before the centre elongates, and chill it promptly. A second small sowing started two or three weeks later can replace the harvested plant.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Supporting wildlife
Nancy lettuce is harvested for its tender head before flowering, so insects are unnecessary to the crop. A plant allowed to bolt develops small yellow composite flowers that may receive bees and flies, but the leaves become bitter. Retain a flowering specimen only if the head is no longer wanted, and rely on other plants for steady forage.
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