How to Grow Tempo Burgundy
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Tempo Burgundy
Lactuca sativa var. crispa
vegetableTempo Burgundy is a deep red or burgundy-colored loose-leaf lettuce with crispy, ruffled leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It's a popular salad green that combines visual appeal with excellent crispness and tender texture. This variety is well-suited for both home gardeners and commercial production due to its consistent quality and disease resistance.
When should you plant Tempo Burgundy in your zone?
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Example Tempo Burgundy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tempo Burgundy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Tempo Burgundy
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tempo Burgundy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; cool-season crop best grown in spring and fall
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Get my Tempo Burgundy timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout in 7-10 days. Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves) visible. True leaves begin appearing by day 10-12.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop 2-3 true leaves.
Vegetative Growth
25-35 daysLeaves expand rapidly with characteristic burgundy coloring becoming more pronounced. Plant develops loose rosette of ruffled leaves. No signs of flowering yet.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-65°F ideal). Feed with balanced or slightly nitrogen-heavy fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Baby Leaf Harvest
30-40 days from plantingLeaves reach 3-4 inches long with full burgundy color. Plant is tender and perfect for cut-and-come-again harvesting. No center stem elongation.
Begin harvesting outer leaves. Careful harvesting encourages more leaf production. Continue watering consistently to support regrowth.
Full Head Development
50-60 days from plantingLoose head becomes fuller with dense, ruffled leaves in deep burgundy. Center remains soft and tender. Plant reaches 10-12 inches across.
Monitor for bolting in warming weather; provide afternoon shade if temps exceed 75°F. Continue harvesting outer leaves or wait to harvest entire head.
Bolting/End of Season
1-2 weeks before full boltCenter leaves begin to elongate and lighten in color. Flower stalk emerges from center. Leaves become bitter and texture deteriorates.
Harvest immediately if bolting is detected. Remove plant and compost if bolted. Plan succession plantings to maintain continuous harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings
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Remove debris and mulch near base to reduce hiding spots; handpick at dawn/dusk; use beer traps or copper tape barriers; apply food-grade diatomaceous earth
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Use virus-resistant varieties; control aphid vectors; remove infected plants; do not compost infected material; practice crop rotation
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or organic fungicide at first signs; remove infected leaves immediately
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Use floating row covers on young seedlings; apply kaolin clay spray; trap with yellow sticky cards; neem oil applications
Uses
Fresh Salads & Salad Mixes
CulinaryTempo Burgundy is prized for its crispy texture, mild sweet flavor, and striking burgundy color that makes it a visually appealing addition to fresh salads, grain bowls, and mixed greens. [source]
Culinary Presentation
CulinaryThe deep burgundy ruffled leaves provide sophisticated color contrast in plated dishes, making it popular for upscale salad presentations and food service applications. [source]
Edible Garnish & Lettuce Wraps
HouseholdUse individual ruffled leaves as decorative garnishes for appetizers or as sturdy wraps for grain and vegetable fillings, taking advantage of the leaves' natural bowl-like structure. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Content
MedicinalRed lettuce varieties like Tempo Burgundy are rich in anthocyanins (the pigments responsible for their color), which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with vitamins A, K, and folate. [source]
Pollinator Habitat (When Bolting)
WildlifeIf allowed to bolt, Tempo Burgundy produces small yellow flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, making it useful for supporting beneficial insects when grown in dedicated habitat areas. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Tempo Burgundy can be harvested as baby leaves (30-40 days) for tender salads, or as full heads (50-60 days). For continuous harvest, pinch off outer leaves from the bottom, allowing the center to continue growing. For full head harvest, cut at soil level with a sharp knife in early morning when leaves are crisp and hydrated. Harvest before bolting (center leaves elongating) for best flavor and texture. Leaves keep 1-2 weeks in refrigerator in a breathable bag.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tempo Burgundy's deep red color comes from anthocyanins, the same beneficial pigments found in blueberries, red wine, and red cabbage. Interestingly, anthocyanins develop more intensely when lettuce is grown in cool weather or with good light exposure.
- 🌱 The name 'Tempo' refers to the variety's timing characteristics and quick maturity, making it ideal for succession planting to ensure continuous harvests throughout the season without long gaps.
- 🌱 Loose-leaf lettuce like Tempo Burgundy doesn't form tight heads like iceberg lettuce. Instead, the leaves grow from a central point in an open rosette, allowing for the convenient 'cut-and-come-again' harvesting method that can extend production over several weeks.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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