'Bath Island Cos' Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Origin: England

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~225

Germination tested 11/2023: 95%

Life cycle: Annual

This is a rare English heirloom preserved by the Irish Seed Savers Association. It first came to our attention through our friends at Brown Envelope Seed Company in Ireland (whom we heartily recommend to all of our friends in Europe!). As the name suggests, it's a cos-type, which is better known as romaine.

Our seed comes from our friend Jennifer Williams of Vashon Island, Washington's Wild Dreams Farm and has this to say about 'Bath Island Cos': "Wonderful new-to-me romaine that does really well in cool spring soils. Large heads with red tipped leaves are beautiful, crisp and delicious... Worth a try if you haven't already! Direct seed or start indoors to transplant after last frost. Sow seeds ¼” deep and lightly cover. 8” final spacing. 25 days for leaves and 65 days for a full head."