Iceburg lettuce Blonde van Parijs is an organicaly grown, delicious, slightly bitter flavoured lettuce variety. Iceberg Lettuce Blonde de Paris is a delicious lettuce variety with a texture and appearance that falls between butterhead lettuce and iceberg lettuce. The large, firm heads consist of fresh green, lightly blistered and gently frilled leaves with a pleasantly crisp texture. The flavour is mild and fresh with a slight hint of bitterness, making this lettuce an excellent companion for both sweet and savoury ingredients.
In the kitchen, Blonde de Paris is exceptionally versatile. Its firm leaves remain crisp for a long time, making them perfect for fresh salads, generously filled sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. The subtle bitterness pairs beautifully with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, sweet peppers, avocados, apples, pears, walnuts, pine nuts, and cheeses such as feta, goat's cheese, and Parmesan. It also combines well with chicken, salmon, tuna, prawns, and grilled meat. Unlike many other lettuce varieties, iceberg lettuce can also be cooked. The leaves can be briefly stir-fried, steamed, grilled, or lightly boiled, giving them a tender texture while retaining their fresh flavour. It is also excellent in stir-fries, savoury pies, mashed potato dishes, and even creamy soups. Thanks to its firm leaf structure, Blonde de Paris stays fresh longer than many other lettuce varieties. Non hardy annual.
Outdoor sowing: March - August
Germination: 7- 10 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 18 °C
Sowing depth: ½ cm
Planting distance: 20 - 30 cm
Planting position: sunny
Days till harvest: 55 - 85
Sow directly outdoors from March through August in a well-prepared seedbed. Work the soil until it is fine, loose, and free of weeds. Sow the seeds approximately ½ cm deep and cover them with only a thin layer of fine seed compost. Firm the soil gently so the seeds make good contact with the soil. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination, but avoid waterlogging. At a soil temperature of 15 - 18 °C , the first seedlings usually emerge within 7 - 10 days.
After about three to four weeks, when the seedlings are large enough, thin them out or carefully transplant them. Maintain a spacing of 20 - 30 cm between plants so the heads have enough room to develop fully. Plants growing too closely together produce smaller heads and are more susceptible to fungal diseases.
Iceberg lettuce grows best in a sunny location with fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. During hot summer weather, keep the soil evenly moist. Applying a layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and reduces the risk of premature bolting. Water regularly, especially during warm and dry periods. A consistent water supply produces firm, tender leaves and helps prevent bitterness. Keep the bed free of weeds so the plants have sufficient access to light, water, and nutrients. For a continuous harvest, sow a small quantity every two to three weeks. This allows you to enjoy fresh lettuce throughout much of the growing season. Protect young seedlings from slugs, which can cause severe damage in a short time. Birds and other pests may also feed on young plants. Fine insect netting or protective garden mesh usually provides effective protection.
Depending on the sowing date and growing conditions, the heads are ready to harvest after approximately 55 - 85 days. Harvest when the heads feel firm and are fully formed. For the freshest and crispest leaves, harvest early in the morning whenever possible.
