Summer Lettuce Variety Trial

Published Dec 6, 2017

In a Nutshell

Six farmers compared three or four lettuce varieties, Coastal Star, Hampton, Magenta, and Muir, to determine which produces better during summer months (harvest July – Sept.) in Iowa.

Key Findings

Magenta had the highest yields on three of the six farms, and was much more heat tolerant than Coastal Star. Coastal Star produced sizeable heads – particularly in earlier successions – but tended to bolt quickly. Farmers found they could grow quality summer head lettuce using these varieties, though specific preferences differed by farm.