Great Lakes 118 is one of the most dependable crisp heading commercial lettuce varieties. Now available for the home gardener, this early variety will give gardeners a nice, firm head, with thick, curly leaves on the outside of the head that are perfect for lettuce wraps and on sandwiches.
Great Lakes 118 is a sturdy variety; it is resistant to scald and tip burn. The crisp heading lettuce varieties do well as spring and early summer lettuce. The variety also gives a nice autumn crop. For gardeners with limited space, this variety will grow well in containers and the new nanofarm kitchen gardens and can be harvested from the outside in through the spring and summer. A raised bed garden can also be mulched with straw for cool autumn evenings; the crop can last with some protection until Thanksgiving.
With curly large leaves on the outside, cold lettuce wraps with Asian flavors such as diced sesame chicken with cilantro and carrot are a popular flavor. A fresh spring garden wrap can include the large Great Lakes lettuce leaves on the outside, stuffed with cold rice or rice noodles, with chopped radish and sweet snap peas in a light citrus dressing.
This mild tasting, crisp lettuce is popular on tacos and for taco salads, as well as Asian lettuce soups and traditional spring and summer salads. Bright green and firm, it can deal with some summer heat, though it likes the mild spring weather. Many gardeners put in a crop in late August or early September for harvest in time for Thanksgiving.
SOWING THE SEED
Lettuce seeds can be started indoors, or directly outdoors as well. If started indoors, choose large peat pots, at least 4 inches tall and 4 inches wide. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/16" under topsoil, so that they are barely covered. Transplant entire peat pots outdoors, or direct sow when the weather has become warm. Do not sow deeper than the recommended sowing depth mentioned above, as Lettuce will require a bit of direct light to germinate properly.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Lettuce will thrive in areas of partial sun, meaning that they should receive about 6 hours of sunlight a day. Lettuce plants prefer cooler temperatures, however this variety does very well in warmer regions, with temperatures of 65F to 75F, or more. Oakleaf will flourish in loose, fertile soils, just make sure that the sowing medium is also well drained. To increase your drainage, we recommend adding a light compost to any areas that consist of hard, compact soil. Water the seeds daily to ensure that the ground is moist, but never soaked.
GERMINATION & GROWTH
Lettuce will typically begin to germinate within 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will reach a mature height of roughly 8 to 12 inches tall, spreading to a good 12 inches wide. The plants can be spaced roughly 6 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 8 inches apart. This variety does particularly well in warmer temperatures and can be harvested in 80 days.
Front Side
Seed packets by Seed Needs are beautifully illustrated and provide a colorful depiction of the variety inside. We provide the common name, as well as the scientific name, seed quantity and a few specs about the variety to be grown.
Back Side
Each packet contains full growing instructions on the reverse side. Specifications on sowing the seed, growing conditions such as sunlight and moisture preferences and germination and growth information can be found as well. We also provide a QR to scan for easy reordering.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
Always fresh and intended for the current and following growing seasons. Seeds are packaged in water resistant / tear resistant packaging.
Heirlooms are varieties that have been purposely bred, selected and passed down from generation to generation. They are wholesome picks that will breed true to the parent seed every time.
Seed Needs never knowingly purchases treated seeds products. We also do not treat any of our seed products with substances such as neonicotinoid or thyram.
Seed Needs promises to never knowingly purchase or supply genetically modified seed products. We take the Safe Seed Pledge!
A SEED COMPANY ON A MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!
A SEED COMPANY ON A
MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!