Igloo

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Cool, crisp crunch begins the moment you lift Igloo’s tight heads—lush, dense leaves unfurl in a pale green rosette with a clean, refreshing bite.

The texture is notably sturdy and glassy, holding its snap through harvest and keeping, while the flavor stays sweet and mild. Ideal for crisphead gardeners who want dependable, uniform heads at about 70 days, Igloo shines in fresh salads and bright, chilled presentations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Igloo’s tight, glassy leaves keep their snap longer than looser lettuces, so it rewards minimal dressing and cold service. Its sweet-mild profile is made for lemony, oily sauces and salty partners—so you get crunch first, flavor second, all the way through the last bite.

Best Uses

ice-cold crisphead salads where the leaves need to hold structure
wedges dressed lightly (think lemony vinaigrette) so they stay snappy
crunchy wraps and burgers where you want a firm leaf barrier that won’t go limp

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild lettuce flavor glassy, sturdy crunch clean, refreshing bite with light vegetal sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon olive oil parmesan chicken balsamic vinegar crusty bread

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest issue for Lactuca sativa (Iceberg-type lettuces) and how do I address it?

A frequent problem is downy mildew (often starting as yellow, water-soaked patches on lower leaves). Remove affected leaves immediately, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting the foliage—water the soil at the base. If conditions stay cool and humid, consider using a labeled fungicide approved for lettuce and follow the label for reapplication intervals.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During the main growing phase, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent bitterness and poor head development. In typical home gardens, this often means watering about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during dry spells or heat. Aim for deep, slow watering so moisture reaches the root zone, and stop short of waterlogging (which can trigger rot and mildew).

How can I tell when my Lactuca sativa (Iceberg-type) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads feel firm and compact and the inner leaves don’t easily spring loose when you gently squeeze the head. For most iceberg-type lettuces, this is around 70 days from sowing/transplanting, but use firmness as the final trigger rather than the calendar alone. Cut the head at the base early in the day for best crispness.