Lactuca sativa is the scientific name for oakleaf lettuce, a type of lettuce with oak-shaped leaves that's popular for its sweet flavor and ornamental appearance:
Seed Count: 1g approx. 1000 seeds
Maturity: 55-65 days
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Planting Depth: 1/8 inches
Plant Spacing: 1 inch
Row Spacing: 2 inches
Growth Habit: Mound
Soil Preference: Moist, well-draining
Full sun or partial shade
Characteristics
Oakleaf lettuce has light green, tender leaves with deep lobes that grow in firm rosettes. It's a semi-head lettuce that can be harvested as a cut-and-come-again or head lettuce.
Growing tips
Here are some tips for growing oakleaf lettuce:
Sunlight: Grow in full sun.
Soil: Grow in fertile, well-drained soil that's close to neutral. You can improve the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure in the fall.
Watering: Provide adequate, even moisture. Mulching can help retain moisture.
Temperature: The optimal germination temperature range is 40–70° F, but many varieties won't germinate in soil temperatures above 75° F.
Harvesting: You can harvest the entire plant young (28-30 days) for a spring mix salad. Leaf lettuce is ready to harvest 50 to 60 days after seeding and 30 to 45 days after transplanting.
Uses
Oakleaf lettuce adds contrast and variety to salad mixes. You can also pair it with Red Oak Leaf lettuce for an edible landscape.
