Dharaseeds
Lettuce Seeds - Salad Bowl - Red
Estimated delivery between February 06 and February 09.
Salad Bowl Red Lettuce is a vibrant, nutrient-packed variety known for its loose, frilled leaves and rich, red color. This heirloom variety is a favorite in mixed salads, offering a tender texture and mildly sweet flavor. The striking red leaves make it a standout addition to any garden or salad mix. Salad Bowl Red Lettuce is easy to grow and adapts well to a variety of growing conditions, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and seasoned gardeners.
Key Benefits
- Beautiful Red Color: Adds a pop of color to salads and other dishes, making it both visually appealing and delicious.
- Tender, Mild Flavor: Offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a tender texture, perfect for fresh salads.
- Fast-Growing: Grows quickly, providing a harvest in as little as 45–55 days.
- Cold-Hardy: Thrives in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for early spring or fall planting.
- High Yield: Known for producing large, leafy harvests, making it a great choice for home gardeners and small-scale growers.
Variety Features
- Plant Characteristics: Loose, frilled leaves with a vibrant red color on the outer edges and a green interior.
- Flavor Profile: Mild, sweet flavor that is not too bitter, with a tender texture that is perfect for salads.
- Growth Habit: Grows in a loose, rosette form with leaves that spread outward, giving it an attractive, open shape.
- Size: Typically reaches 8–12 inches in diameter, with a bushy, leaf-filled appearance.
Planting Instructions
Planting Season
- Planting Time: Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost date or sow directly outdoors in early spring or late summer for a fall harvest.
- Temperature: Salad Bowl Red Lettuce thrives in cool temperatures, with optimal growing conditions between 55°F–75°F (13°C–24°C).
Planting Details
- Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep, either in seed trays or directly into the garden.
- Spacing: Space plants 8–12 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart for optimal growth and air circulation.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile, well-drained, loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0.
- Sunlight: Full sun is ideal, but Salad Bowl Lettuce can tolerate light shade, especially in warmer climates.
Care Instructions
Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells, to maintain the tender texture of the leaves.
- Water about 1 inch per week, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization
- Apply a balanced, organic fertilizer at planting time to support healthy growth.
- Side-dress with additional fertilizer when plants are 4–6 inches tall to encourage continued leaf development.
Weeding and Mulching
- Regularly weed around the lettuce, being careful not to disturb the shallow roots.
- Mulch around plants to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition.
Pest and Disease Control
- Pests: Watch for pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic pest control methods like neem oil or diatomaceous earth to protect the plants.
- Diseases: Lettuce is susceptible to fungal diseases like downy mildew and damping-off. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help reduce disease risk.
Harvesting
- Maturity: Salad Bowl Red Lettuce is typically ready for harvest in 45–55 days, depending on growing conditions.
- Size: Harvest when the leaves are tender and the plant has formed a loose rosette, about 8–12 inches in diameter.
- Method: Pick outer leaves as needed, or cut the entire head at the base when it reaches the desired size.
Storage
- Short-Term: Store harvested lettuce in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or container with ventilation for up to a week.
- Long-Term: Lettuce is best used fresh but can be frozen for longer storage. Keep in mind that freezing can affect texture, so it’s best used in cooked dishes.
Culinary Uses
- Salads: Adds a crunchy, mild, and slightly sweet flavor to fresh salads. The vibrant red color makes for an eye-catching dish.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Use as a fresh, crunchy layer in sandwiches, wraps, or burgers.
- Garnishes: Its beautiful red edges make it a perfect garnish for various dishes, adding both color and flavor.
- Smoothies: Blend Salad Bowl Red Lettuce into smoothies for a refreshing, nutrient-rich ingredient.
Conclusion
Salad Bowl Red Lettuce is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add vibrant color and tender, mild flavor to their gardens. It is quick-growing, cold-hardy, and produces an abundant harvest of nutritious leaves that are perfect for fresh salads, wraps, and garnishes. Its beauty, flavor, and ease of cultivation make it a must-have for any home gardener looking to grow their own lettuce. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, Salad Bowl Red Lettuce will be a delightful and rewarding addition to your vegetable patch.