I only grow a few things from seed indoors now mainly because I have only 3 raised beds versus a 40’x120′ garden not including the pumpkin and corn patch. Lettuce is one of them and I sow them twice a year, in the Spring and late summer.  There is nothing better than your own homegrown lettuce, oh maybe tomatoes, peppers and the like.  Anything homegrown is preferred and always gives me a good feeling from beginning to end 🙂

Recently, I ran across some seeds from the Ann Arbor Seed Co. – yes a company in my hometown that grows seeds from Washtenaw County only. How neat is that?  As this is a small company one of their goals is “to reverse the disturbing industry trends of consolidation, loss of heirloom and regional varieties and lack of local control over the source of seed – local seed saving strengthens the vibrant food community that we love in Ann Arbor” – my feelings exactly.  As they are just starting out the only seeds I needed this Fall were lettuce.  I will be anxious to see the varieties of seeds for the 2015 season.

They had two varieties; ‘Forellenschluss’  which is a romaine that is green with red and maroon speckled leaves.  It is a big plant with good heat tolerance.  The second is ‘Pirat’ which is a butterhead lettuce and has pale green leaves with a red blush.  I cannot wait to taste both of these varieties in my salads.

My Fall lettuce where tomatoes use to grow…

Spring lettuce growing in one of my raised beds next to my snow peas.

Soon, I will be hardening off my seedlings and planting them in a special place in my garden.

I always start my lettuce indoors as I can transplant it at the right time, when they are a good size and not have a bunch of seedlings I do not need.  Just a gardening thing I like to do.  Below are some of last years’ seeds.  I have a small tabletop gro-light and also a larger 2 shelf stand which can take care of many seeds/seedlings and plants.

I also have this 2 shelf free-standing gro-light to start seeds,  grow my herbs in winter or during the summer for storage 🙂