Boston

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Sink your spoon into Boston’s lush, butter-soft leaves—tender, sweet, and delicately crisp with a creamy, pale-green heart.

Forming a classic butterhead rosette in about 50 days, this variety delivers a velvety texture that stays pleasantly mild and succulent for fresh garden harvests. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant platters, Boston’s gentle flavor shines with minimal dressing and bright, garden-fresh simplicity.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 4th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Boston is butterhead’s soft-spoken cousin—lush, sweet, and creamy without sharpness, so it rewards restraint. Pair it with bright acid (lemon/vinaigrette) and creamy or salty ingredients so every bite feels cold, tender, and clean rather than drowned.

Best Uses

fresh-cut salads where the leaves won’t shred under dressing
simple butter-anchored vinaigrettes (lemon + olive oil) that cling without overpowering
platter lettuce cups for seafood or chicken—lifts cold, rich fillings
quick sautéing or steaming just to tame the edges for short-lived warm sides

Flavor Profile

buttery-sweet, mild flavor velvety, tender leaves with a clean delicate crunch creamy pale-green heart that stays succulent light herbaceous freshness with a gentle finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil feta grilled shrimp cracked black pepper buttermilk ranch

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage powdery mildew on Boston lettuce?

Powdery mildew often shows up as a white, dusty coating on Boston lettuce leaves during warm, humid stretches with poor airflow. Remove the most affected leaves immediately, thin plants so air can circulate, and water the soil (not the foliage) so leaves dry faster. If it keeps spreading, treat with an appropriate garden fungicide labeled for edible leafy greens and follow the label timing, avoiding harvest until the stated re-entry/PHI period is over.

How often should I water Boston lettuce during the 50-day growing phase?

During the main growth period, keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, split into smaller waterings as needed. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch; Boston lettuce is prone to bitterness and bolting if it dries out, especially in part-sun and warmer spells. Use mulch to reduce moisture swings, and avoid letting plants sit in soggy soil that stays wet.

When is Boston lettuce ready to harvest at about 50 days?

Harvest when heads are firm and leaves are crisp, typically around 50 days from sowing (or sooner for smaller heads). Check by gently squeezing the plant base—if it feels well-filled with minimal give, it’s ready; if it’s loose or noticeably soft, wait a few more days. Cut at the base in the morning for best crispness, before leaves start to elongate or bolt.