Head lettuce ‘Igloo’

* Common name: Head lettuce ‘Igloo’

* Botanical name: Lactuca sativa ‘Igloo’

* What it is: An iceberg-type head lettuce that produces crispy, full-sized heads about 70 days after planting from seed. It’s one of the earlier-maturing head types and has good heat resistance, making it a good choice for our sometimes quick-to-show-up summers. ‘Igloo’ is reliable and doesn’t split as fast as many iceberg varieties do.

* Size: Plants grow 10 to 12 inches tall and wide. Heads similar in size to supermarket iceberg heads.

* Where to use: Vegetable gardens or pots in full sun to light shade.

* Care: Plant seed directly in garden between third week of March and early May. Plant every two weeks for staggered harvest. Plant a fall crop between mid-August and early September. Seed can be started inside four to six weeks in advance to have transplants ready. Keep soil consistently damp. Work compost into soil at planting, then scatter a balanced or high-nitrogen organic fertilizer around the base every 3 or 4 weeks. Protect with fencing if rabbits, deer or groundhogs lurk.

* Great partner: Spiky edibles, such as onions or leeks, or upright, frilly ones, such as carrots or parsley, contrast nicely with the rounded form of head lettuce. Those also are best planted at the same time as lettuce.