Butterhead lettuce Tom Thumb, is a classic and much-loved lettuce variety that produces small, compact heads with soft, tender, fresh green leaves. Despite its modest size, this miniature butterhead lettuce certainly does not compromise on flavour. The well-filled heads have a mild, delicate taste and remain tender for a long time. Thanks to its compact growth, this variety is ideal for small vegetable gardens, square-foot gardens, raised beds, pots and large containers. With a spacing of only 15 cm (6 inches), a surprisingly large number of heads can be grown in a limited space. Tom Thumb is also a fast-growing variety, allowing for an early harvest. By sowing small quantities every few weeks, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh lettuce throughout much of the growing season. Thanks to its compact heads, this variety is also well suited for cut-and-come-again harvesting, where the outer leaves are picked as needed while the plant continues to grow.
Culinarily, Tom Thumb is exceptionally versatile. The tender, slightly sweet leaves are delicious as the base for fresh salads and pair perfectly with cucumber, tomato, sweet pepper, radish, carrot, avocado and a wide range of fresh herbs. They also combine beautifully with goat's cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, boiled eggs, chicken, turkey, smoked salmon, tuna and shrimp. The small, decorative heads are ideal for serving whole as individual salads or as an edible garnish on buffets and cold platters. The sturdy leaves are also perfect for sandwiches, wraps, burgers and tacos, or as a healthy alternative to tortillas and lettuce wraps. Although lettuce is most commonly eaten raw, the young leaves can also be briefly added to stir-fries, soups, pasta dishes, stews and oven-baked dishes. Thanks to its mild flavour, Tom Thumb is also an excellent choice for children and anyone who enjoys soft, delicate lettuce. Non hardy annual.
Indoor sowing: February - March
Outdoor sowing: May - July
Germination: 7 - 10 days
Germination temp.: 15 - 18 °C
Sowing depth.: ½ cm
Planting distance: 20 - 30 cm
Planting position: sunny with some shade
Days till harvest: 55 - 85
Sow indoors from February onwards. Use a light, well-drained seed compost and sow the seeds approximately ½ cm deep. Cover them with only a thin layer of compost, as the seeds require some light for successful germination. The ideal germination temperature is 15 - 18 °C . Under these conditions, the seeds usually germinate within 7 to 10 days. Keep the seed compost evenly moist during germination, but avoid making it waterlogged. Once the seedlings have developed several true leaves after approximately 3 to 4 weeks, they can be transplanted into individual pots. Allow them to continue growing in a bright location. When the risk of frost has passed, harden the plants off before transplanting them outdoors. Space the plants 20 to 30 cm apart to allow the heads to develop properly.
From May onwards, once frost is no longer expected, the seeds can be sown directly outdoors. Choose a sunny location with light shade during the hottest part of the day. This helps the soil retain moisture and reduces the risk of the plants bolting prematurely. Sow the seeds about ½ cm deep in rows spaced 20 to 30 cm apart. Place three seeds every 20 cm and cover them lightly with soil. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination. After approximately 3 to 4 weeks, thin the seedlings by leaving the strongest plant at each sowing spot and removing the others. This gives each plant enough space to develop into a large, well-formed lettuce head.
For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch every three weeks. This ensures a steady supply of fresh lettuce throughout much of the growing season. Lettuce grows best in evenly moist soil. Water regularly during dry periods, as drought stress can cause the plants to bolt quickly and the leaves to become bitter. Also watch out for slugs and aphids. Young lettuce plants are especially attractive to slugs, while aphids often settle in the tender inner leaves. Regular inspection allows problems to be dealt with before they become serious. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, lettuce is ready to harvest after approximately 55 to 85 days. Harvest the heads once they are firm and fully developed for the best flavour and texture.
