Amish Deer Tongue lettuce is a dual purpose lettuce, it can be used in salads even raw, or cooked as a substitute for spinach.
The young leaves have a mild taste, best described as nutty. As the leaves get older the ribs become a little bitter, however still very tasty.
This is a ‘cut and come again’ lettuce named for the triangular shaped leaves it was grown by the Amish, however this is believed to be a Asian variety that dates back many years, it is slow to bolt and fast growing
We pick the young leaves and the plant continues to grow more.
You can grow this lettuce from seed, plant it directly into the garden or into a container, you can also start it off in small pots and plant it out once the plants reach a good size, this helps protect the small seedlings from slugs and snails.
Use a humus rich soil with extra compost, cow manure and blood and bone worked through.
Water with an organic fertiliser every 2 weeks when in growth to increase production.
How to grow
- Grow in full sun to afternoon shade.
- Season – All seasons in temperate zones, spring to late summer in colder zones.
- Seeds are small and only need a thin covering of soil. Keep moist during germination period.
- Water requirements are medium
- From seed to harvest – 5 weeks
- Height – 20cm
- Spacing – 20cm, although can be planted closer for ‘cut and com again’
- Uses – Fresh in salads, cooked or sautéed.
How to Harvest
You can start harvesting as soon as the leaves are large enough. You can simply cut off the outer leaves or cut off all of the leaves leaving only the crown in the centre.
Save the seeds
You can let a few plants run to seed and collect the seeds for the next seasons lettuce crop.
When to plant
Warm to tropical climates, plant year round
Cooler climate zones plant from spring to summer.