[Étude] 6 lettuces that you absolutely must sow in winter!

Sowing on the coast

We have it practiced after mid-September, because it is at this sowing date that we obtain the most resistant plant to the cold and under a cover, to avoid possible damage due to storms and sometimes cats. The emergence was perfect for the 6 varieties. But we noticed small differences in vegetation between lifting and placement. The most regular was Rougette de Montpellierthe other varieties being fairly grouped, with the exception of Winter brunette.

Setting up the lettuce

It was done online due to 20 salads per variety, with a dibble with localized addition of a natural fertilizer in the boundary hole (ashes of calcined wood and bones, crushed horn). The recovery gave 95 to 100% success. The few salads that had disappeared were replaced immediately. The winter, which was quite harsh, and the salads not having been protected, allowed us to accurately judge their resistance to the rigors of winter.

Lettuces during the winter

We have kept, according to the good habit of certain gardeners, the plant on the coast in order to compensate for possible gaps in the crop lines at the end of winter (these gaps always occur, whatever the cold). This precaution allowed us to note differences in resistance of the same variety between conservation on the coast bordered by a wall and transplanting in the open ground.

On the other hand, we made curious observations, especially with regard to Big Winter Blonde. After the severe cold, it seemed to have resisted better than the other varieties and ranked first for its winter hardiness both in coastal and in row transplanting.

However, in open ground, in the first good days it went from 15% to 80% loss and took last place. Val d’Orge manifested the same phenomenon but in smaller proportions. Verrières Winter was the only variety not to show this damage; those from Rougette de Montpellier and of Winter brunette were insignificant.

At the apple Verrières Winter presented the most beautiful appearance, followed by winter wonder. This aspect was certainly a function of winter resistance abilities.

As for the flavor, it varies little from one variety to another and only personal taste comes into play. It ranges from a mild flavor (flat, some would say) to a very slight, more or less pronounced harshness.

To note : This flavor can vary depending on the nature of the soil, its water state and the speed of vegetation.

The results

They are partially a function of the nature of the environment; in other places they might be reversed. Our tests were carried out in Val-d’Oise, 20 km northwest of Paris.

1. Winter of Verrières. Clearly the most presentable at the time of consumption. Demonstrated maximum qualities in each of the criteria imposed on her and showed herself to be very resistant to the cold. Mild flavor.
2. Winter wonder. Seemed to justify its name by its cold hardiness and presentation at harvest. Mild to very slightly bitter flavor. On sale in all grain stores.
3. Winter brunette. Medium head lettuce marked with red-brown, with roughly blistered foliage. Very hardy and early. Slightly bitter flavor.
4. Val d’Orge. Variety declared very resistant to cold. We think it needs to be reviewed because it seemed less resistant than the previous ones both in the nursery and in transplanting. Following the harsh winter, its head was difficult. Mild to very slightly bitter flavor.
5. Rougette from Montpellier. Small-headed variety that showed a tendency to bolt early; leaves strongly tinted dark red. Despite the winter, it performed relatively well, especially in the nursery. It is necessary to keep some of the plant to compensate for shortages in spring. Slightly bitter flavor.
6. Big Winter Blonde. For this very old variety, we strongly recommend keeping it in a sheltered nursery in the North during the winter and transplanting it at the end of February-March in regions with harsh cold. Slightly bitter flavor.