Concept

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Planting Schedule

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

Cool, crisp leaves unfurl with a fresh, dewy snap—Concept delivers a summer-crisp bite that feels as clean as a morning breeze.

The heads form with an inviting, tender texture and a balanced, mild flavor that shines in salads and bright garnishes. Grow Concept for reliable, garden-ready rosettes that hold their crisp appeal through warm-season days.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Concept 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	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Concept lettuce is all about that cold-air crunch: mild flavor and tender structure make it ideal for dressings that cling without soaking the leaf. Use it like a finishing green—right at the end—so it stays snappy and doesn’t collapse into bitterness.

Best Uses

ice-cold salad greens where the leaves keep their bite
shredded for quick slaw with tangy dressing
layering in wraps where lettuce stays crisp (not soggy)
tossing into warm grain bowls at the last second as a fresh counter-note

Flavor Profile

cool, mild bitterness clean, dewy snap tender rosette texture light, grassy freshness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil garlic yogurt bacon or prosciutto parmesan chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (lettuce), and how do I manage it?

Lettuce commonly suffers from downy mildew (often showing as pale, yellow-green spots on leaves with fuzzy growth under humid conditions). Remove and discard infected leaves immediately, then space plants more widely for airflow and water at the soil line (not on leaves). If it keeps recurring, switch to a disease-resistant planting and consider a labeled fungicide that’s approved for lettuce and downy mildew in your area.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during the main growing phase?

During the 60-day growth period, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—lettuce roots are shallow and dry spells cause bitterness and bolting. In warm part-sun conditions, this often means watering 1–2 times per week, increasing to about every 2–3 days during hot spells. Mulch lightly after seedlings establish to steady moisture and reduce leaf-edge stress.

How can I tell when Lactuca sativa is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads are firm and appropriately sized for your type, or when outer leaves are full-sized (typically around 60 days from sowing). For loose-leaf lettuce, pick outer leaves once they’re large enough to use and leave the center to keep growing. If you see rapid stem elongation or flowering stalk development, harvest immediately—lettuce will turn bitter as it bolts.