Lettuce - Red Oak Leaf
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This vigorous oak leave heirloom variety has bright burgundy red leaves that are deeply lobed, creating a full rosette with a typical green center. Great for baby leaf salad mixes. Red Oak Leaf is slow to bolt, tender, and mild-tasting. However, once it has bolted (starts to produce a rapidly growing flower stem) the leaves will become bitter. It is best grown in early spring or late summer and early fall as the cool nights are beneficial for a better harvest.
Growing Instructions:
Direct sow lettuce seeds in early spring or late summer, depending on your climate. Choose a location that receives partial shade in hotter climates and full sun in cooler climates. Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, spaced 2.5-5cm (1-2”) apart in rows spaced 30-45cm (12-18”) apart. To promote germination, keep the soil consistently moist and cool. The seeds should sprout in 7-14 days. Thin seedlings to 15-25cm (6-10”) apart when they are 5-7cm (2-3”) tall.
Lettuce prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Harvest lettuce leaves when they are young and tender. Cut the entire plant or pick individual leaves as needed. Lettuce is a cool-season crop and can bolt (go to seed) in hot weather. Providing shade or planting in a cooler location can help extend the growing season. Soil Conditions: Well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. Germination: 7-14 days. Height at Maturity: 15-25cm (6-10”) tall. Days to Maturity: 40-60 days. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist and cool. Lettuce prefers consistent watering throughout the season. Sun/Shade: Partial shade in hot climates, full sun in cooler climates. Spacing after Thinning: Thin seedlings to 15-25cm (6-10”) apart.
