How to Grow Touch of Red Lettuce
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Touch of Red Lettuce
Lactuca sativa var. crispa
vegetableTouch of Red is a loose-leaf lettuce variety featuring attractive green leaves with deep red or burgundy edges and tips. This crisp, tender lettuce combines visual appeal with mild, sweet flavor, making it popular for salads and garnishes. It's relatively quick-growing and well-suited to both garden beds and container growing.
When should you plant Touch of Red Lettuce in your zone?
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Example Touch of Red Lettuce timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Touch of Red Lettuce
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 Touch of Red Lettuce
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Touch of Red Lettuce dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; best grown as a cool-season crop in spring and fall
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Get my Touch of Red Lettuce timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Very delicate and fragile.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright light and good air circulation to prevent damping off. Thin seedlings when they develop 2-3 true leaves.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksLoose rosette of leaves develops; characteristic red edges become more prominent. Plant grows outward rather than upward.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F ideal). Provide adequate spacing for air circulation. Begin harvesting outer leaves once plant has 6-8 leaves.
Leaf Development & Color Intensification
2-3 weeksLeaves expand and mature; red coloration deepens and intensifies at leaf edges and tips, creating dramatic visual appeal.
Continue regular watering and light fertilizing with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Watch for bolting signs if temperatures rise above 75°F.
Full Maturity & Harvest
2-4 weeks or longer with proper carePlant reaches desired size with full color development; outer leaves are crisp and tender; center continues to produce new growth.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production. Provide cooler conditions and consistent moisture to delay bolting. Can harvest entire plant or use cut-and-come-again method.
Bolting
Varies; can occur rapidly in heatStem elongates rapidly and flower stalk emerges from center; leaves become smaller, tougher, and more bitter. Plant life cycle ending.
Once bolting begins, harvest immediately or pull plant. Prevent bolting by maintaining cool temperatures, consistent moisture, and afternoon shade in warm weather.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
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Hand-pick in evening; create barriers with diatomaceous earth or copper tape; use beer traps; encourage ground beetles
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain good air circulation
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Remove affected plants; rotate crops; encourage parasitic wasps; maintain soil moisture
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Remove affected leaves; use row covers; spray with spinosad if severe
Uses
Fresh salads and mixed greens
CulinaryTouch of Red's crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor make it ideal for garden salads, mixed green bowls, and colorful salad blends. The red-tinged leaves add visual appeal to plates. [source]
Garnish and plating
CulinaryThe attractive red-edged leaves make excellent garnishes for restaurant-quality plating, sandwich garnishes, and fresh vegetable platters. [source]
Wraps and light meals
CulinarySturdy leaves work well as lettuce wraps for low-carb meals and can hold fillings for fresh, healthy alternatives to bread. [source]
Home gardening and nutrition
HouseholdA reliable, fast-growing crop for home gardeners seeking fresh, nutritious greens with minimal chemical inputs. Rich in vitamins A, K, and folate. [source]
Pollinator garden plantings
WildlifeWhen allowed to bolt, Touch of Red produces small yellow flowers that attract beneficial insects including bees and provides later-season nectar sources. [source]
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when plant has 6-8 leaves (about 30-35 days), using the cut-and-come-again method to encourage continued growth. Gently pull outer leaves from the base or use scissors to cut them. For whole plant harvest, cut at soil level once plant reaches full size. Harvest in early morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. Avoid harvesting during extreme heat. Cut-and-come-again harvesting can extend production 2-4 weeks beyond first full-size maturity.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The red coloration in Touch of Red lettuce comes from anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds that give blueberries and red grapes their color; these anthocyanins have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- 🌱 Loose-leaf lettuce varieties like Touch of Red can be harvested continuously for 4-6 weeks or longer using the cut-and-come-again method, producing far more food per plant than head-forming varieties.
- 🌱 Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers and can thrive in as little as 6 inches of soil depth, making it perfect for balconies, patios, and small-space gardening.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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