Packed in Resealable Long Life MylarMoisture Proof Packets10+ Year Survival Seed Viability Category: Vegetable Type: Lettuce Variety: Ruby Red Leaf Family: Lactuca sativa Botanical Name: Unk. Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Growing Difficulty: 3 Soil PH: 6.0 to 6.8 Fertilizer Requirements: 8-15-36 Soil Type: Average to Rich, Well-Draining Germination (days): 8 to 14 Soil Temp for Germination: 40-65°F Lighting Conditions: FULL SUN Days to Maturity: 40 - 55 Planting Depth: 1/8” Distance Apart (in row): 8 – 10" Row Spacing: 12-18" Sowing Instructions DIRECT SOW IN FULL SUN WHEN SOIL TEMPS ARE ABOVE 40°F Starting Indoors 3 WEEKS BEFORE LAST FROST Growing Tips Ruby Red Lettuce is cold tolerant and can be planted in soil up to a couple weeks before last frost. However, if your winter weather is extended, seeds may rot or get washed away. Plant in full sun when soil temps are above 60°F for best germination. Culinary Uses Use Ruby Red Leaf Lettuce in a mix of other lettuces for a great salad that is loaded with nutrients. Harvesting Crops You can start harvesting your lettuce leaves at about 21 days; however you'll want to be careful not to damage the head (which will be ready in about 55 days). Ruby Red Lettuce heads may be a green to purple color when they are ready to pick. Harvesting Seed Allow a couple of lettuce plants to bolt and flower. These flowers will dry out on plant and have puffs of white cotton showing around the top (like a dandelion). Pick these flower heads and toss them in a bag. Break the flower heads apart and oval shaped seeds will fall out. Allow the seeds to dry for a couple of weeks before safely storing them for the next growing season.
