No kitchen garden is complete without this reliable, effortlessly grown, decorative leaf Lettuce. Red Salad Bowl has radiant red, deeply lobed and frilled tender leaves which form a large, upright rosette. It is the standard in all commercially-marketed, baby green or mesclun mixes for its curly, colorful leaves and outstanding keeping qualities. Either grown to maturity or sown thickly for cut and come again, Red Salad Bowl is a mainstay Lettuce. Slow to bolt, it retains a sweet, mild taste, growing in all seasons and showing an intense bronze-red coloration in cool weather. We like to harvest this Lettuce on the small side and halve lengthwise to reveal the beautiful fading-to-green, frilled heart. Adorn with sliced Strawberries, toasted walnuts and a fruity dressing for a special presentation.

GROWING NOTES

Lettuce grows best in full sun, though excessive heat can cause plants to bolt to seed, or leaves to wilt. For an early start, seeds can be started in flats 4 weeks prior to the last frost and transplanted outdoors in mid to late spring. If growing in summer, select a partially shaded location, or one that receives primarily eastward exposure to mitigate the potentially damaging effects of excessive heat upon lettuce.

Lettuce is tolerant of a wide range of soils, but prefers well-drained, cool, loose soil with plentiful moisture and pH 6.2 to 6.8. Sensitive to low pH. Lime to at least 6.0. To encourage tender and tasty growth, make sure location is rich in organic compost matter. Amend prior to planting if needed.

Sowing
Direct seed or transplant in early spring, as soon as you can work the soil. To get an early start, prepare beds the previous fall by working in manure or compost and raking smooth to leave a fine seedbed. Seeds need light to germinate; sow at a very shallow depth by covering with a thin layer of growing medium.

Direct-seeding

Sow seed 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. When plants have two or three true leaves, thin to 12-inch spacings for crisphead varieties, 6 to 10 inches for other types. You can also lightly broadcast seed (particularly of looseleaf varieties) in a patch instead of a row.

Transplants

Sow in 1-inch cells 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting outside. Harden seedlings by reducing water and temperature for 3 days before transplanting. Hardened plants should survive 20 F. Space crisphead transplants 12 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Space other varieties 6 to 10 inches apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.