'Merlot' Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Origin: Netherlands

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~125

Germination tested 11/2023: 95%

Life cycle: Annual

Originally called 'Galactic' by the Dutch company that bred it, 'Merlot' is quite possibly the reddest red lettuce you can grow. It produces delicious, frilly, looseleaf heads on slow-to-bolt plants which stand up incredibly well to cold temperatures. This is the perfect lettuce to add to a salad mix for vivid contrast, but it is also wonderful on its own. Like most lettuces, this variety is very easy to direct seed, but it will not germinate well in warm soil.

GROWING TIPS: Direct seed or transplant healthy plant starts in early spring or potentially late summer for fall harvest. Plants could be 10-14 inches apart.