Great Lakes 118

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Crisphead perfection with a cool, watery crunch—Great Lakes 118 forms tight, well-filled heads that feel satisfyingly dense in the hand.

Expect sweet, clean flavor with a buttery bite and crisp, deeply veined leaves that hold their structure beautifully from garden to table. Ideal for fresh salads and elegant wedge-style presentation, this steady performer is a favorite for gardeners who want reliable heads with a satisfying crunch at harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Great Lakes 118

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Great Lakes 118’s tight head and deeply veined leaves give you a satisfyingly dense, cool crunch—this is lettuce that doesn’t collapse when dressed. It’s built for cold, creamy or bracingly acidic applications where you want texture to stay loud from first bite to last.

Best Uses

wedge salads with thick, clingy dressing
cold salads where it has to stay snappy (no wilting)
iceberg-style piles for burgers and sandwiches
light tosses with vinaigrette that coats without sogging

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean lettuce flavor cool watery crunch buttery bite with crisp, deeply veined structure

Kitchen Pairings

blue cheese buttermilk ranch bacon or prosciutto lemon vinaigrette chicken hard-boiled eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Watch for aphids and slugs/snails on lettuce, especially when plants are tender and dense. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray and release beneficial insects; for slugs/snails, remove hiding spots and use a barrier or bait labeled for edible plants. If you see soft, water-soaked stem bases or wilting, act quickly by improving airflow, removing affected leaves, and avoiding overhead watering to reduce lettuce diseases.

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

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist—usually about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rain. Water in the morning and aim at the soil to prevent wet foliage, since lettuce develops problems faster when leaves stay damp. If the plants wilt during the day but recover overnight, increase the frequency slightly rather than soaking less often.

How do I know when Great Lakes 118 lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest around 70–80 days after sowing (about 75 days to maturity) when heads or leaf clusters are firm and well-sized for your spacing. For crisp texture, harvest in the cool part of the day and pick when leaves are fully expanded but before the plant begins bolting (going tall with a flowering stalk). If you can gently squeeze a head/cluster and it feels tight rather than loose, it’s ready.