We promise to provide you with high-quality, fresh and viable flower seeds. The Ultimate Color-Boost for Your Salad Bowl! Tender, Frilly "Oakleaf" Variety with a Sweet, Mild Crunch. Bullet Points: Stunning Burgundy & Emerald Colors: The deep wine-red outer leaves gently transition to a glowing, lime-green center, creating a breathtaking visual display in your garden and on your plate. Tender, Buttery, and Mild: Unlike thick, crunchy head lettuces, the ruffled leaves are incredibly delicate, soft, and sweet, with absolutely no bitterness. The Perfect "Spring Mix" Component: This is the classic red leaf used in high-end grocery store spring mixes. It adds the perfect pop of color and elegant texture to any salad bowl. Fast "Cut-and-Come-Again" Harvest: Thrives in Containers & Raised Beds: As shown in our photos, its compact, spreading growth makes it an excellent choice for patio pots, window boxes, and small-space gardens. Nutrient-Packed Superfood: The vibrant red pigment comes from natural anthocyanins, offering powerful antioxidants in every bite. Product Details: Genus: Lactuca Species: Lactuca sativa (Leaf type - Red Oakleaf / Red Leaf variety) Hardiness Zone: USDA Zones 4 – 11 (Cool-season annual; tolerates light frosts down to 28°F). Days to Maturity: 45 - 50 days (For mature loose heads) / 21-28 days (For baby leaf). Days to Germination: 5 to 7 days (Optimal soil temp: 55°F - 70°F). Seeding Depth: ¼ inch (0.6 cm). Row Spacing: 12 inches (30 cm). Plant Height: 8 – 10 inches (20 - 25 cm) tall, spreading width. Growth Habit: Low, spreading, loose rosette. Features heavily frilly, deeply lobed leaves transitioning from deep burgundy-red on the exterior to light green/yellow on the interior. Does not form a tight solid head. Soil Preference: Loose, fertile, moisture-retentive loam rich in organic matter. pH 6.0 – 7.0. Temperature Preference: Cool weather. Best performance at 50°F - 65°F (10°C - 18°C). Will bolt if temps consistently exceed 80°F. Light Preference: Full Sun (minimum 6 hours) to Partial Afternoon Shade (highly recommended in warmer zones). How to Plant & Grow: Site Preparation: Choose a location with full sun to light afternoon shade. Lettuce prefers loose, fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Work 2-3 inches of aged compost into the top 6 inches of soil. Sowing: Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. For a continuous supply, succession-sow every 2-3 weeks. Plant seeds ¼ inch (0.6 cm) deep and cover lightly. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination (5-7 days). Spacing: For Mature Full Heads: Thin seedlings to 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) apart in rows spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart. For Continuous Baby Leaf Harvest: Sow seeds thickly at 2 inches (5 cm) apart and snip leaves when young. Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Plant 6 plants per 1-square-foot area for mature leaves. Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist. Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Consistent moisture is the secret to tender, non-bitter leaves. Dry soil will cause the leaves to become tough and lose their sweet flavor. Harvesting: Baby Leaf: When the leaves are 4-6 inches long, use scissors to snip them off about 1 inch above the soil. Mature Leaf: When the outer leaves are large, simply snap or cut them off at the base. Allow the central core to remain intact for continuous regrowth. Gardener's Tip: Heat is the enemy of red lettuce! It will quickly "bolt" (go to seed) in hot weather and turn bitter. Plant this variety in early spring, or plant a second crop in late summer for an incredible fall harvest, as the cooler weather actually deepens the rich red color and intensifies the sweet flavor. Planting Calendar: Early Spring Crop: Direct Sow: March to Mid-April (as soon as soil reaches 40°F). Harvest: May to June. Fall Crop (Best Flavor & Color):Direct Sow: August to Mid-September. Harvest: October to November. Mild Winter Zones (USDA 9-11):Can be sown from October to January for winter harvests. SPECIAL OFFERS: Buy More, Get More FREE Buy 4, Get 1 Free: Add 5 items to your cart, and the system will automatically deduct the price of 1 item – no coupon code needed! Buy 7, Get 2 Free: Add 9 items to your cart, and the system will automatically deduct the price of 2 items – no coupon code needed! Buy 12, Get 3 Free: Add 15 items to your cart, and the system will automatically deduct the price of 3 items – no coupon code needed! Buy 19, Get 4 Free: Add 23 items to your cart, and the system will automatically deduct the price of 4 items – no coupon code needed! Buy 23, Get 5 Free: Add 28 items to your cart, and the system will automatically deduct the price of 5 items – no coupon code needed!
