These compact lettuces are a bold mixture of nutty, sun-kissed flavors finishing with unexpected hints of freshly picked celery and crushed pepper.  Maybe not fine wine but definitely varieties worth growing. Whether faced with the task of filling a vegetable bed or a potted garden, it doesn’t matter, there is a whole sleuth of seeds to choose from.

Here are my basic ground rules for planting a veggie bed:

• Always grow what you love and what you’ll eat.
• Make it beautiful.  Include color, crop rotations and companion plants that work together creating a simple but pleasing design.
• Always try a couple new varieties.  It could be a can of worms (which isn’t so bad) or simply make you realize the best things really do come in small packages.