Ark of Taste Tennis Ball Lettuce
Tennis Ball Lettuce is named for its petite, round shape resembling a tennis ball, this lettuce variety is not just visually appealing but also packs a punch in nutritional value. Derived from the Slow Food Ark of Taste, our Tennis Ball Lettuce is a heritage gem, celebrated for its rich history and unique characteristics. This heirloom lettuce has been cherished for generations, connecting you to the roots of sustainable and diverse agriculture.
Support the Ark of Taste Tennis Ball Lettuce - 10% of sales goes to Slow Food USA!
Here's the Heritage Story:
The Tennis Ball lettuce is a black-seeded lettuce that was one of the most popular lettuces at the turn of the 20th century. Tennis Ball lettuces grow in small tight rosettes, and have light green leaves that are silky with a slippery texture. Traditionally, Tennis Ball Lettuces were pickled in salt brine and eaten as a side dish to many meals.
Plant Specifications:
Tennis Ball Lettuce typically matures 2 to 3 weeks after planting the starter plants. Harvest the outer leaves when they reach the desired size, or cut the entire head at the base when it reaches full maturity. Harvesting regularly encourages continuous production.
Make sure to plant in nutrient dense soil to ensure thriving plants. You can purchase our magic organic soil and organic soil boosters (micro and macro nutrients in the form of marine-based fertilizers, worm castings, and beneficial fungi) specifically curated to help improve your soil.
- Growing Season: Most fruiting plants have their peak growing season starting in Spring and extending through Fall. They need the warm days and nights to produce fruit.
- Harvest Method: As soon as the plant bears the fruit, harvesting can begin and will continue through the season. Most fruiting plants grow through a season and then are done.
- First Harvest: Fruiting plants take longer to bear fruit and can take 2-3 months to get to a harvesting stage.
- Final Harvest: Occurs at the end of summer and into early Fall for most climates. Some plants, such as strawberries will become dormant in Winter and then pop back into action in the Spring.
- Best Planted Wall Placement: Fruiting plants, like micro-tomatoes and jalapenos, that are smaller can grow on the Planted Wall. Place micro-tomatoes and jalapenos that grow in the Planted Wall near the top so you can maximize sun and warmth during the Summer. Larger fruiting plants are intended to be grown in larger grow pots (i.e. 15 gallon pots)
Most fruiting plants prefer warmer temperatures and will be dormant or grow very slowly in mild winter climates.
You want to be aware of the extreme temperature ranges in your region. If you follow the guidelines below, you will be safe:
COLD CLIMATES
- If you live in a location where the temperatures dip below freezing, then you will want to wait to grow fruiting plants until night temperatures are in the 50's consistently.
WARM CLIMATES:
- If you live where it reaches above 90 degrees consistently, you'll want to grow heat tolerant fruiting plants (tomatoes and peppers) and herbs (basil, mint, rosemary) primarily.
To find out what extreme temperatures your location experiences, check out the USDA zone for your region.
We ship seedlings directly from our certified organic grower during specific weeks each month to ensure the we are delivering seedlings at the peak of freshness and prime for transplanting.
Don't worry we tend to over-communicate the details when it comes to logistics. You'll know when orders (both seedlings and other garden products) are shipped.