Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce
One of the earliest maturing loose leaf lettuces. Frilly light green leaves stay crisp and tender after cutting. In 1881, Thomas Meehan published these words about Black Seeded Simpson in “The Gardener’s Monthly And Horticulturist [V.23]”:
“W. C, Belvidere, N. J., writes: – ‘I have sent you today, by express, a head of lettuce – Black seeded Simpson. Will you kindly express your opinion in your valuable Gardener’s Monthly; that is if you think it’s worth it? I think it the most valuable I ever grew. It possesses the good quality of standing so long before running to seed. I set these lettuce out between cauliflowers and peas. The sight was very striking before any were cut.’
‘The one plant filled a large nail keg, and was very crisp and free from bitterness.’ – Ed. G. M.”
Still a favorite of home gardeners and market growers after all these years!
