How to Grow Great Lakes 659 Lettuce
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Great Lakes 659 Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
vegetableGreat Lakes 659 is a crisp head lettuce variety known for its tight, firm heads and excellent heat tolerance compared to other iceberg types. It produces large, heavy heads with pale green leaves and a tender, crunchy texture. This variety was developed specifically for commercial production and home gardens in warm climates.
When should you plant Great Lakes 659 Lettuce in your zone?
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Example Great Lakes 659 Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Great Lakes 659 Lettuce
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Great Lakes 659 Lettuce
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Great Lakes 659 Lettuce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 3-9; performs best in cooler seasons but tolerates heat better than standard iceberg varieties
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days; first true leaves appear by day 14-21.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Maintain temperatures of 60-65°F for best germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing early to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops 6-8 leaves; leaf production accelerates. Plant begins forming loose rosette shape before heading.
Ensure adequate water and nitrogen. Keep soil consistently moist. Monitor for pests like aphids. Thin remaining seedlings to final spacing (10 inches). Fertilize lightly every 2 weeks.
Head Formation
2-3 weeksOuter leaves begin overlapping and curling inward; visible head structure emerges. Plant appears to consolidate growth toward center.
Maintain consistent watering to prevent tipburn (calcium deficiency causing brown leaf edges). Provide afternoon shade in temperatures above 75°F. Continue light feeding. Ensure adequate air circulation to prevent disease.
Maturation & Harvest Readiness
1-2 weeksHead becomes firm, tight, and compact with pale green outer leaves. Head reaches full size (8-10 inches diameter, 1-2 lbs).
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to prevent excessive leaf development. Monitor soil moisture carefully—head quality deteriorates if water is inconsistent. Check for bolting signs (flower stalk emergence). Harvest promptly when firm.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Hand-pick in early morning. Use copper tape around beds, diatomaceous earth, or beer traps. Remove mulch that harbors them.
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Improve drainage and avoid overwatering. Remove affected plants immediately. Rotate crops to different beds annually.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves.
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Place collars around transplant bases. Remove debris where they hide. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if populations are heavy.
Uses
Fresh salads and sandwiches
CulinaryGreat Lakes 659's crisp, crunchy texture and mild flavor make it ideal for fresh salads, coleslaw, and sandwich bases. The firm head holds up well to dressing and handling. [source]
Salad composition and preparation
CulinaryThe pale green outer leaves and tender inner leaves provide excellent textural contrast. Leaves separate easily and remain crisp for hours after harvesting. [source]
Heat-tolerant home gardening
HouseholdGreat Lakes 659 was specifically bred for improved heat tolerance, making it one of the best iceberg-type lettuces for gardeners in warmer zones or late-spring plantings. [source]
Commercial and market production
CulinaryOriginally developed for commercial growers, this variety produces uniform, marketable heads that ship well and have excellent shelf life, making it popular at farmers markets. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when heads feel firm and compact (usually 60-75 days after sowing). Cut heads at base with a sharp knife in early morning when crisp and full of moisture. For continuous harvest, pick outer leaves instead of entire head. Great Lakes 659 can tolerate light frosts but bolts quickly in hot weather (above 75°F), so harvest before temperatures spike. Store in refrigerator crisper at 32-35°F for up to 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Great Lakes 659 was developed by the USDA in the 1950s specifically to address heat sensitivity problems in iceberg lettuce, making it significantly more bolt-resistant than standard varieties in warm climates.
- 🌱 The '659' designation refers to its USDA breeding line number, reflecting its status as a major commercial development from American plant breeding programs.
- 🌱 Despite being heat-tolerant for an iceberg type, Great Lakes 659 still prefers cooler weather; it produces the finest quality heads when grown in spring or fall with temperatures between 55-70°F.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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