How to Grow Vitesse Lettuce

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Vitesse Lettuce

Lactuca sativa var. crispa

vegetable

Vitesse is a fast-growing butterhead lettuce variety known for its tender, buttery leaves and rapid maturity. It produces compact, medium-sized heads with a delicate flavor and crisp texture, making it ideal for fresh salads and quick harvests.

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Example Vitesse Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Vitesse Lettuce
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Vitesse Lettuce
Around Jun 1

≈ 45 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Vitesse Lettuce dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours daily optimal, afternoon shade beneficial in hot climates

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply 1-2 times weekly depending on temperature and rainfall

📏

Spacing: 8-10 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 45-55

🌱

Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; can be grown year-round in cooler climates and as spring/fall crop in warmer zones

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

7-10 days

Tiny cotyledons emerge with first true leaves developing. Plants are delicate and light green.

Keep soil consistently moist; provide gentle air circulation; avoid damping off by ensuring good drainage and air flow

Vegetative Growth

20-30 days

Plant develops multiple true leaves in an open rosette pattern. Leaves are tender and increasingly buttery in texture.

Thin seedlings to proper spacing; maintain consistent moisture; monitor for slugs and aphids; apply balanced fertilizer mid-growth if needed

Head Formation

15-20 days

Outer leaves begin to wrap and form a loose to medium-tight head. Center leaves lighten in color and become increasingly tender.

Reduce nitrogen to prevent bolting; water consistently but avoid overhead watering to minimize disease; provide afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 75°F

Harvest Ready

2-5 days (window for peak quality)

Head reaches mature size (6-8 inches diameter) with fully formed, buttery leaves. Head feels firm but gives slightly to gentle pressure.

Monitor for bolting signals (elongated stem, bitter taste); harvest promptly in cool morning; cool heads immediately in refrigerator

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Radish Carrot Onion Beet Strawberry Chervil Dill Parsley

Avoid planting near:

Cabbage Corn Celery

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; neem oil as last resort
and
Remove by hand at dusk; use beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth around plants; copper tape barriers
Yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch; insecticidal soap; neem oil spray
Control aphid vectors; remove infected plants; choose resistant varieties; practice crop rotation

Uses

🍳

Fresh Salads & Greens

Culinary

Vitesse's tender, buttery leaves are perfect for fresh garden salads, lettuce wraps, and delicate green mixes. The mild, sweet flavor makes it ideal for simple vinaigrette preparations. [source]

🍳

Sandwich & Burger Topping

Culinary

The large, pliable leaves work excellently as lettuce for sandwiches and burgers, providing both nutrition and appealing presentation without overwhelming other flavors. [source]

🏠

Quick Kitchen Harvests

Household

With a 45-55 day maturity, Vitesse allows home gardeners to enjoy fresh lettuce rapidly after planting, making it perfect for succession planting throughout the growing season. [source]

💊

Nutritional Greens

Medicinal

Lettuce provides vitamins A, K, and folate, along with dietary fiber and antioxidants that support digestive and cardiovascular health. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Garden Supplement

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt, Vitesse produces delicate yellow flowers that attract beneficial insects like bees and hoverflies to the garden ecosystem. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest in early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Cut the entire head 1 inch above soil level using a sharp knife, or harvest outer leaves individually for continuous picking. Vitesse matures quickly at 45-55 days, so monitor regularly for peak tenderness. Once temperatures consistently exceed 75°F, harvest promptly before bolting occurs.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Vitesse' means 'speed' in French, reflecting this variety's rapid growth and quick maturity compared to traditional butterhead types.
🌱 Butterhead lettuce varieties like Vitesse form their tender hearts through natural leaf overlap, creating the characteristic buttery texture without blanching or special techniques.
🌱 Vitesse can be succession planted every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvests throughout spring and fall, providing fresh lettuce for months on end.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Bolt Damping Off Full Sun Partial Shade pH True Leaves

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