Heirloom Bibb-type variety grown for almost two hundred years, Tom Thumb lettuce is compact and small, about the size of a hand. The outer wavy leaves are green and the heart is a pale yellow color. Grows well in containers. Slow to bolt

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Seeds

~1000

Difficulty       

Easy

Sowing        

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle      

Annual

Root cellar   

No

Sowing season       

Spring, Summer

Color 

Green

Growing tips

Germination conditions:

seedling depth: 2.5 mm or surface sow

optimal temperature for germination: 10 to 22ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

indoor sowing 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area OR

direct seeding when the soil can be worked in the spring (2 to 3 weeks before the last frost) and towards the end of July/beginning of August for a fall harvest

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the plants if space is available or keep only the best plants.

for indoor seedlings: transplant into individual containers while waiting for transplanting in the garden OR

for direct seedlings: transplant to their final location in the garden

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

Planting in the garden when the soil has warmed up: after having hardened off the plants for a few days outdoors, plant in soil with a prior application of compost, keeping the stem slightly above the soil so as not to bury the central bud.

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 20 cm

between rows: 45 cm

Soil: loose and well drained

Watering: regular and moderate

Exposure: full sun or light shade

When to harvest: 50-70 days for mature leaves

Recommendations:

Mulching the base of the plants helps keep the soil cool and moist and helps control weed growth;

Adding organic matter (homemade or commercial compost or decomposed manure) or a natural fertilizer once or twice during the season is beneficial for the plants.