Butterhead lettuce 'Tom Thumb'

Lactuca sativa var. capitata

How to grow Butterhead lettuce 'Tom Thumb'

  • Partial Sun

  • High

Position in a partial sun location and remember to water often. Keep in mind when planting that Tom Thumb is thought of as tender, so remember to wait until your soil is warm and the night time temperature is well above freezing before moving outside. Ensure your soil has a ph of between 6.2 and 6.8 as Tom Thumb is a weakly acidic soil loving plant.

Growing Tom Thumb from seed

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 5.85 inches (15.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.49 inches (1.25 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 5°C / 41°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations, you should look at sowing Tom Thumb about 60 days before your last frost date.

Transplanting Tom Thumb

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Tom Thumb is a tender plant.

By our calculations, you should look at planting out Tom Thumb about 45 days before your last frost date.

Harvesting Tom Thumb

Harvest early, right after heads form. Cut 2" above ground level. Individual leaves can also be harvested before head forms.

This variety tends to be ready for harvesting by early autumn.

Tom Thumb Patent Information

Non-patented (Baker Creek carries only non-patented seeds2)

Footnotes