Red Oak Leaf Lettuce Seeds
Red Oak Leaf Lettuce is a beautiful loose-leaf variety that combines outstanding ornamental appeal with exceptional eating quality. Its distinctive deeply lobed leaves resemble the shape of an oak tree leaf and mature into rich burgundy-red tones, creating a striking display in the vegetable garden as well as on the plate. Renowned for its sweet, delicate flavour and tender texture, this variety is ideal for gardeners looking to enjoy fresh salads over a long harvesting season.
One of the greatest advantages of Red Oak Leaf Lettuce is its cut-and-come-again growing habit. Rather than harvesting the entire plant, individual outer leaves can be picked regularly while the centre continues producing fresh growth. This allows a single sowing to provide multiple harvests over many weeks. The leaves remain tender and mild with very little bitterness, while the variety shows excellent tolerance to warmer weather and good resistance to bolting, helping maintain quality throughout the summer. Its attractive colour also makes it an excellent addition to mixed salad bowls, where it adds both flavour and visual appeal. Suitable for open ground, raised beds, containers and greenhouse production, it is a reliable choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
Sowing & Propagation
Sow seeds from January under glass or March to August outdoors in finely prepared, fertile soil. Sow seeds approximately 5 mm deep in rows spaced 30 cm apart, or sow thinly in modules for transplanting later. Germination usually occurs within 7 to 14 days when temperatures are between 18 and 21°C.
Thin seedlings gradually until plants are spaced 20 to 25 cm apart. Earlier sowings raised under protection can be transplanted outdoors once the danger of severe frost has passed.
Growing On
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Regular watering encourages rapid, uninterrupted growth and helps prevent premature bolting during warm weather. Applying a mulch around the plants will help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Protect young plants from slugs and snails, particularly during wet weather. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth from the centre. Successive sowings every two to three weeks will ensure a continuous supply of fresh salad leaves from spring through to autumn. Store unused seed in a cool, dry place to maintain good germination.
Harvesting
Harvest from May to October, depending on sowing date. Pick individual outer leaves as required for a continuous cut-and-come-again crop, or harvest the entire plant when fully developed. The tender leaves are perfect for salads, sandwiches, wraps and colourful mixed leaf salads. Regular harvesting encourages continuous production throughout the season.
Key Features
- Open-pollinated variety
- Attractive deep red oak-shaped leaves
- Sweet, mild flavour
- Tender leaf texture
- Cut-and-come-again harvesting
- Slow to bolt
- Suitable for baby leaf or mature harvest
- Ideal for containers, raised beds and allotments
- Easy to grow
- Excellent for fresh salads throughout the season
Red Oak Leaf Lettuce is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a productive and attractive salad crop. Its beautiful burgundy foliage, sweet flavour and reliable cut-and-come-again habit provide months of fresh harvests, making it an essential variety for every vegetable garden and allotment.
Quantity. PKT
OPEN-POLLINATED
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