Iceburg lettuce Ice Queen is an organicaly grown, delicious, slightly bitter flavoured lettuce variety. Iceberg Lettuce Ice Queen is also known as Regina dei Ghiacci and Reine des Glaces, is an old French heirloom variety prized for its dark green, deeply serrated, and exceptionally crisp leaves. Although it is often sold as an iceberg lettuce, it is botanically classified as a Batavia lettuce. The firm, heavy heads have a fresh, full flavour with a subtle nutty note and remain tender and crisp for a long time. This variety is also more heat-tolerant than many other lettuce varieties, making it less likely to bolt.
In the kitchen, Ice Queen is exceptionally versatile. Its sturdy leaves remain wonderfully crisp even after being mixed with dressing, making them perfect for fresh salads, generously filled sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and tacos. The fresh flavour pairs beautifully with tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, avocados, onions, radishes, apples, walnuts, and a wide range of cheeses, as well as chicken, bacon, salmon, tuna, prawns, and grilled meat. The large, sturdy leaves are also ideal as healthy wraps or as a base for attractive appetizers. Unlike many other lettuce varieties, Ice Queen can also be cooked. The leaves are suitable for quick stir-frying, steaming, grilling, or briefly boiling, and are excellent in stir-fries, stews, savoury pies, and creamy soups. Thanks to its firm leaf structure, this variety stays fresh longer than many other lettuces. 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.
