How to Grow Webb's Wonderful Lettuce
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Webb's Wonderful Lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. capitata
vegetableWebb's Wonderful is a classic crisphead lettuce variety prized for its dense, crispy heads and excellent keeping quality. Developed in England in the 1890s, it remains a favorite among home gardeners for its reliable performance and sweet, delicate flavor. The outer leaves are bright green while the inner heart is pale and tender.
When should you plant Webb's Wonderful Lettuce in your zone?
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Example Webb's Wonderful Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Webb's Wonderful 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 Webb's Wonderful Lettuce
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Webb's Wonderful Lettuce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cool seasons in spring and fall
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Get my Webb's Wonderful Lettuce timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall leaves emerge with true leaves appearing by 1-2 weeks. Plants are delicate and low-growing.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Provide consistent light.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop 4-6 outer leaves and begin expanding. Rosette shape becomes more pronounced.
Maintain consistent moisture and ensure adequate nutrition. Monitor for pests. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Head Formation
2-3 weeksOuter leaves wrap inward as a central head begins to form and densify. Plant reaches 8-10 inches tall.
Critical stage for consistent watering. Keep soil evenly moist. Avoid nitrogen excess which can delay heading. Support heads if needed.
Head Maturity
1-2 weeksHead becomes dense and compact with crisp, pale interior leaves. Outer leaves are bright green.
Ensure adequate water during this phase. Check for tight head formation. Harvest when firm but before bolting begins.
Harvest
ImmediateHead is fully formed, crisp, and ready for harvest. Can be stored for extended periods if kept cool.
Harvest in early morning for best crispness. Cut at base with sharp knife. Cool immediately after harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; use row covers on young plants
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and
Hand-pick in early morning; use copper tape barriers; apply diatomaceous earth; set beer traps
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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); handpick caterpillars; row covers on seedlings
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Row covers; neem oil spray; remove debris where they overwinter
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Insecticidal soap; neem oil; yellow sticky traps; reflective mulch
Uses
Fresh Salads & Crisp Greens
CulinaryWebb's Wonderful is ideal for fresh garden salads, offering a tender, sweet interior with crispy texture. The dense head structure makes it excellent for wedge salads and as a base for composed salads. [source]
Sandwich & Wrap Base
CulinaryThe sturdy outer leaves are perfect for lettuce wraps and sandwiches, holding fillings well while providing satisfying crunch. The pale inner leaves are ideal for delicate presentations. [source]
Cooked Lettuce Dishes
CulinaryWhile typically served raw, Webb's Wonderful can be braised, wilted, or used in soups. The firm head holds its structure better than softer varieties when cooked. [source]
Extended Storage Vegetable
HouseholdWebb's Wonderful is renowned for its storage capacity, lasting 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator when properly stored. This makes it valuable for meal planning and reducing food waste. [source]
Rabbit & Garden Wildlife Food
WildlifeThe outer leaves are relished by rabbits and other garden wildlife, making it useful for feeding hutch animals or supporting beneficial insects when allowed to bolt. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when heads are firm and compact but before bolting occurs (typically 60-75 days from planting). Cut the entire head at the base with a sharp knife in the early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. For longer storage, harvest slightly before full maturity and immediately refrigerate. Webb's Wonderful stores exceptionally well in cool conditions for 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Webb's Wonderful was developed in England in the 1890s and won the Royal Horticultural Society's gold medal, remaining a popular heirloom variety nearly 130 years later.
- 🌱 This variety is notably cold-tolerant and can be grown as a fall and early spring crop in cooler regions, often thriving after light frosts in autumn.
- 🌱 The superior storage quality of Webb's Wonderful made it a favorite commercial variety in the mid-20th century before being largely replaced by modern hybrids, though home gardeners have kept it alive.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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