Black Jack

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Black Jack to a garden.

Sink your senses into Black Jack’s crisp, cool crunch—deeply colored leaves that feel silken yet substantial, with a fresh, subtly sweet bite.

This Summer Crisp lettuce forms an attractive, compact head with a sturdy texture that holds its shape beautifully from garden to table, staying crisp and inviting through warm-season harvests. Ideal for fresh salads and vibrant summer platters, Black Jack brings a dark, elegant look and a satisfying crunch to every bowl.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Black Jack Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 18th	Jul 22nd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 12th	Jul 16th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 6th	Jul 10th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 5th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	Apr 27th	Jul 1st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	Apr 24th	Jun 28th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 18th	Jun 22nd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 13th	Jun 17th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 3rd	Jun 7th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Mar 25th	May 29th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 16th	May 20th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Feb 27th	May 3rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 2nd	Apr 8th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Black Jack’s summer-crisp texture stays snappy even when dressed, so you can build salads that don’t wilt into sadness. Its dark, gently sweet leaf reads beautifully against sharp lemon, salty fat, and crunchy nuts—no need to overthink it.

Best Uses

tossed summer salads where you want leaves to hold shape
lettuce “cups” for chunky fillings that don’t get soggy
cold platters with a bright vinaigrette and crunchy toppings
quick char-less plating with warm proteins for contrast

Flavor Profile

cool, crisp crunch subtly sweet, leafy bitterness silken-yet-substantial bite mild, clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette goat cheese grilled chicken hard-boiled egg bacon or pancetta toasted almonds

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Black Jack plants getting distorted leaves and sticky sap, and what should I do?

That pattern is usually aphids feeding on new growth, often followed by sooty mold from their honeydew. Spray plants with a strong jet of water to knock aphids off, then apply insecticidal soap, coating the undersides of leaves; repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds. Avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which encourages fresh aphid-prone growth.

How often should I water Black Jack during the main growing phase (around weeks 3–8)?

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy from when seedlings establish until near maturity: water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for deep, slow watering so moisture reaches the root zone, and reduce frequency if the soil stays wet or plants show yellowing. Consistent moisture during active leaf growth helps prevent stalling by heat stress.

How do I know when Black Jack is ready to harvest at about 65 days?

Harvest when the plant has reached full size and the edible portion looks mature and firm—typically around day 65, depending on temperature. For best flavor, harvest in the morning and avoid waiting until the plants look overly soft or beginning to decline, which can mean reduced quality. If you’re unsure, compare to labeled maturity timing and harvest the first few plants to test texture.