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Lettuce · Lactuca sativa var. capitata 'Iceberg'

Iceberg

Iceberg: 80-95 days to harvest, 7-10 days to germinate, 12-15 inches between plants, pH 6.2-6.8, hardy in zones 2-11. Fruit runs to about 6-8 inch diameter tight heads. Give it full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and 1-1.5 inches per week, consistent deep watering water.

Lettuce
80-95days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Moderate to Challengingdifficulty

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant when soil is consistently cool. Direct seeding often fails to form proper heads.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, consistent deep watering
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with excellent organic content
Soil pH
6.2-6.8
Spacing
12-15 inches
Height
6-12 inches
Season
Cool season, requires cool nights for heading

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Pale green to white interior with light green outer leaves
Size
6-8 inch diameter tight heads
Shape
Dense, compact round heads with tightly wrapped leaves
Flavour
Mild, crisp, refreshing with high water content and clean finish

In the kitchen

Classic salads, sandwiches, tacos, coleslaw substitute. The standard for crisp lettuce applications.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Aphids, cutworms, wireworms, flea beetles
Diseases
Tipburn, bottom rot, downy mildew, premature bolting in heat
Resistance
Susceptible to tipburn and bottom rot, requires cool conditions to prevent bolting

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyAugust – September
2——May – JulyAugust – September
3——May – JuneJuly – October
4——April – JuneJuly – October
5——April – MayJuly – November
6——April – MayJune – November
7——March – MayJune – November
8——March – AprilMay – December
9——February – MarchApril – December
10——January – MarchApril – December
11——January – FebruaryMarch – December
12——January – FebruaryMarch – December
13——January – FebruaryMarch – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and improves lettuce growth and flavor
CarrotsLoosens soil for lettuce roots and doesn't compete for space
RadishesBreaks up soil, deters flea beetles, and matures quickly between lettuce plantings
MarigoldsRepels nematodes, aphids, and other pests that damage lettuce
NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
SpinachSimilar growing requirements and can be interplanted for succession harvests
GarlicDeters aphids, slugs, and rabbits that commonly attack lettuce
DillAttracts beneficial insects that prey on lettuce pests

Avoid

BroccoliCompetes heavily for nutrients and can shade out lettuce
SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
TomatoesLarge root system competes for nutrients and water needed by shallow-rooted lettuce

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
0.742
Fat (g)
0.0738
Carbohydrate (g)
3.37
Vitamin K (µg)
20.5
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.0401
Calcium (mg)
14.2
Iron (mg)
0.0332
Magnesium (mg)
6.31
Phosphorus (mg)
19.2
Potassium (mg)
139
Zinc (mg)
0.173
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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Iceberg?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

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Similar varieties

Other lettuce with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Iceberg suits these too.

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