Description

Both tasty and attractive, this 1800s French heirloom also known as Merveille de Quatre Saisons has tender, sweet leaves that are green at the base, turning to a beautiful cranberry-red, and forming a crinkly rosette that almost looks like a flower! If kept moist, it won't turn bitter when heat arrives. Rosettes are 8″–12″ in diameter, good for large containers.

Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Days to Maturity: 21–55 days
Family: Asteraceae
Native: Unknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Plant Dimensions: 8″–12″ wide, 6″–8″ tall
Variety Information: 'Marvel of Four Seasons' is also known by the original French name, Merveille de Quatre Saisons. Large, crinkled leaves in a loose rosette are green at the base turning to cranberry-red; tender and sweet.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.
When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: Surface to ?”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6″
Row Spacing: 16″
Thinning: When ½” tall, thin to 1 every 6″

Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2″. For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.

This packet sows up to 244 feet. 730 seeds.