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Concept

Lactuca sativa 'Concept'

A premium loose-leaf lettuce that produces an abundance of deeply lobed, oak-shaped leaves with exceptional heat tolerance and slow bolting characteristics. This variety offers continuous harvest potential throughout the growing season, with leaves that maintain their tender texture and mild flavor even in challenging weather. Concept is perfect for gardeners who want a reliable, productive lettuce that keeps giving all season long.

Harvest

50-60d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

'Allstar Mix'

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Concept in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 lettuce →

Zone Map

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Concept · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonCool season with heat tolerance

FlavorMild, sweet flavor with tender texture and no bitterness

ColorMedium to dark green with deeply cut oak-leaf shape

Size6-8 inch spread, individual leaves 4-6 inches

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	May – June	June – October
Zone 4	—	—	April – June	June – October
Zone 5	—	—	April – May	June – November
Zone 6	—	—	April – May	May – November
Zone 7	—	—	March – May	May – November
Zone 8	—	—	March – April	April – December
Zone 9	—	—	February – March	March – December
Zone 10	—	—	January – March	March – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: 'Allstar Mix', 'Bibb', 'Black-seeded Simpson', 'Buttercrunch', 'Green Oakleaf', 'Ithaca', 'Jericho', Lactuca sativa var. augustana ('Celtuce'), 'New Red Fire', 'Pennlake', 'Red Sails', 'Salinas'. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Tiny seeds with a dandelion-like tuft (pappus) to aid in wind dispersal.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.

Storage & Preservation

Immediately after harvest, rinse Concept leaves in cool water and spin dry gently in a salad spinner. Store unwashed leaves in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-36°F with high humidity. Properly stored, fresh leaves maintain quality for 7-10 days.

For longer storage, blanch whole leaves in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in freezer bags for up to 8 months. While texture changes, frozen lettuce works well in cooked dishes and smoothies.

Concept's tender leaves also work well for making lettuce wraps that can be briefly dehydrated and stored as chips. The mild flavor makes it excellent for fermenting into lettuce kimchi or adding fresh to lacto-fermented vegetable mixes for a crisp texture contrast.

History & Origin

Origin: Mediterranean to Siberia

Advantages

+Edible: Leaves can be used raw or cooked in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. Head lettuce can be stored for 2-3 weeks while leaf and butterhead store for 1-2 weeks.
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Sap/Juice): Low severity
-Causes contact dermatitis

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and improves lettuce flavor and growth

Carrots

Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, helps loosen soil

Radishes

Quick growth breaks up soil, deters flea beetles and aphids

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects

Spinach

Similar growing conditions and harvest times, efficient space usage

Garlic

Natural pest deterrent, repels aphids and slugs

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings

Keep Apart

Broccoli

Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and may shade lettuce

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds

Sunflowers

Creates too much shade and competes heavily for water and nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.742g(1%)

Carbs

3.37g(1%)

Fat

0.0738g(0%)

Vitamin K

20.5mcg(17%)

Iron

0.0332mg(0%)

Calcium

14.2mg(1%)

Potassium

139mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346388)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent heat tolerance, slow to bolt, good disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails, leaf miners

Diseases

Downy mildew, lettuce drop, bacterial leaf spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Concept lettuce take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Concept lettuce is ready for baby leaf harvest in 30-40 days and full-size leaves in 50-60 days from direct seeding. You can begin light harvesting at 3-4 weeks by picking outer leaves, then continue harvesting weekly for 8-12 weeks from the same plants due to its excellent regrowth ability.

Can you grow Concept lettuce in containers?▼

Yes, Concept grows excellently in containers. Use a pot at least 8-10 inches deep and 12 inches wide for a single plant, or space multiple plants 6 inches apart in larger containers. Container growing actually helps manage moisture levels and provides better control during hot weather by allowing you to move plants to shadier locations.

Is Concept lettuce good for beginners?▼

Concept is excellent for beginning gardeners because of its forgiving nature and heat tolerance. It germinates reliably, grows quickly, and doesn't require precise timing like head lettuces. The cut-and-come-again harvesting method means small mistakes won't ruin your entire crop, and its disease resistance reduces common problems that frustrate new gardeners.

What does Concept lettuce taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Concept has a mild, sweet flavor with no bitterness, even in warm weather when other lettuces turn bitter. The texture is tender and crisp, similar to oak leaf lettuce but with better heat tolerance. It's less assertive than romaine but more flavorful than iceberg, making it perfect for mixed salads and appealing to those who find some lettuces too strong.

When should I plant Concept lettuce for best results?▼

Plant Concept 2-4 weeks before your last frost date, then succession plant every 2 weeks through early summer. In zones 3-6, you can plant through July. In zones 7-9, pause during peak summer heat and resume planting in late August. The key is starting early to establish plants before intense heat, then taking advantage of its heat tolerance for extended harvests.

How do you prevent Concept lettuce from bolting in hot weather?▼

While Concept is naturally slow to bolt, you can further delay bolting by providing afternoon shade in zones 7-9, maintaining consistent soil moisture, and avoiding heat stress during establishment. Harvest regularly to keep plants focused on leaf production rather than seed development, and consider shade cloth during heat waves above 90°F.