Jericho

Jericho lettuce brings a crisp, cool crunch with a delicate, sweet-green flavor and a tender bite that stays pleasantly snappy.

At maturity, heads form with a softly ruffled texture and a fresh, clean finish—ideal for gardeners who want a reliable, garden-fresh centerpiece for everyday salads and bright garnishes. Grow Jericho for a satisfying harvest window around 60 days, when the leaves are at their most luminous and crisp.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 17th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jericho’s sweet-green, ruffled crunch is the kind that holds up to dressing without turning slick, so it shines in cold, chopped builds and sandwich stacks. It’s especially good when you want that bright, clean finish—no bitterness to fight your acid.

Best Uses

cold salads where it stays snappy (no wilted leaf piles)
sandwich layering for crunch between soft fillings
quick-chopped crudités with a vinaigrette that clings to nubbly edges
brief pickling or fridge “quick cure” for a crunchy, sweet bite

Flavor Profile

clean, sweet-green flavor cool, crisp crunch tender bite with a fresh, ruffled mouthfeel

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette feta goat cheese extra-virgin olive oil chicken avocado

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lactuca sativa (Jericho), and how can I treat it at home?

Watch for aphids and slugs/snails on tender lettuce leaves; aphids cluster on new growth and can cause leaf distortion, while slugs leave ragged holes. Rinse aphids off with a strong jet of water, then spot-treat with insecticidal soap if needed. Use copper tape or a beer trap and remove hiding spots/boards at the base to reduce slugs and snails, and water in the morning to lower leaf wetness.

How often should I water Lactuca sativa during its main growth phase to prevent bitter or stressed heads?

During the ~3–6 weeks of active leaf growth (leading up to harvest), keep soil evenly moist—not soggy—so the root zone stays consistently damp. Water deeply about 2–3 times per week depending on heat, aiming for roughly 1 inch per week total, and adjust to more frequent watering during hot spells. If you let the soil dry out and then soak again, lettuce can turn bitter and bolt more readily.

How do I tell when Jericho (Lactuca sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads/leaf rosettes are firm and reach the expected size for your spacing, typically around 60 days from sowing. For best flavor, pick in the morning when leaves are crisp, and avoid waiting until plants look overgrown or start stretching upward (a sign of bolting). If it’s heading, harvest just as the outer leaves fit snugly; if it’s loose-leaf type, cut outer leaves once they’re fully sized while the center continues growing.