Nancy

Family: Asteraceae Leafy Green

Nancy butterhead lettuce forms a lush, cloud-soft rosette with tender, buttery leaves that unfurl in pale green layers—sweet, mild, and beautifully delicate in flavor.

At maturity (about 60 days), the heads feel velvety and supple, with a gentle crunch that melts into a smooth, fresh bite. Ideal for gardeners who love a refined, spoonable salad base and elegant garnishes, Nancy shines in cool-season plantings and shines most when harvested young and crisp.

Light: Part 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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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

Nancy butterhead is all about tender, velvety leaf texture—mild enough to take bright acid, but not so assertive it fights delicate proteins. Dress lightly and serve promptly: it keeps its soft snap for a short window, then becomes silky in the best, spoonable way.

Best Uses

spoonable composed salads where the leaves fold easily
light vinaigrettes or citrus-dressing salads that won’t overwhelm
cold, brief dressings for buffets—dress at the last second for max suppleness
elegant lettuce cups for seafood or chicken

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild butteriness velvety-leafy tenderness gentle crunch that melts into a clean fresh bite

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vinaigrette goat cheese grilled shrimp prosciutto olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Nancy lettuce (Lactuca sativa) — what pest or disease is most likely, and how do I control it?

A common problem is downy mildew (often appears as yellow patches on upper leaves with gray-purple growth underneath) and it spreads fast in cool, humid conditions. Remove and discard affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing plants, and avoid wetting the foliage when watering. If it’s recurring, rotate beds and use a preventive copper-based fungicide labeled for lettuce at the first signs of spotting, following the product label exactly.

How often should I water Nancy lettuce during its main growing phase?

During the ~60-day growth period, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for evenly damp soil about 1 inch (2–3 cm) down. In part sun and mild weather, this is often about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 sessions if temperatures are higher. If lettuce dries out between waterings, it can turn bitter and become prone to bolting.

How can I tell when Nancy lettuce is ready to harvest?

Harvest when heads/leaf size match the package expectation and leaves feel firm, not limp, with good color (usually around 60 days). For loose-leaf types, you can “cut-and-come-again” by snipping outer leaves once they’re large enough while keeping the center growing. For best texture, harvest in the morning and stop before leaves get overly large or begin loosening into a bolting stem.