‘Carmona’ red butterhead lettuce, ecologically grown seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Name: ‘Carmona’ red butterhead lettuce, ecologically grown seeds ( Lactuca sativa )
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

*Lactuca sativa*

Product code : GAIAS-0275

Open-pollinated red butterhead lettuce producing medium heads, dark red on the outside and light red in the center. Tender texture, mild flavor, and maturity in 55 days. Read the package directions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly rotate containers to encourage balanced growth.

‘Carmona’ red butterhead lettuce, ecologically grown seeds (Lactuca sativa) This open-pollinated variety produces medium-sized heads with dark-red outer leaves and a light-red interior. Its tender texture and mild flavour suit salads, sandwiches, wraps, and fresh garnishes. Carmona is dependable for spring and fall crops, when cooler temperatures support crisp leaves and rich colour. It also suits succession sowing for staggered harvests. The packet contains 150 ecologically grown seeds; Gaia does not identify this product as certified organic or as an heirloom. Carmona provides an attractive two-tone head for cool-season Canadian gardens.

Direct sow as soon as soil can be worked, 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, or start seed indoors three to four weeks before planting out. Maintain the medium at 12 to 21°C, optimally 16 to 18°C; germination generally takes 7 to 10 days. Most lettuces germinate poorly when temperatures rise above 25°C. Space plants approximately 6 inches apart. Leave 12 to 18 inches between rows for line or bed production, and 18 to 24 inches where a wider irrigation or harvest aisle is needed. Thin carefully so retained plants have airflow and room to form medium-sized butterhead heads.

Grow Carmona in sun or light partial shade and fertile, cool, well-drained soil. Maintain even moisture to keep leaves tender and limit bitterness. Maturity occurs around 55 days. Plants reach approximately 6 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide and tolerate temperatures near −7°C. Harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head. Gaia indicates that flavour is especially pleasant in fall after a few cold nights. Store clean dry leaves in the refrigerator; the grower’s information also mentions storage near 1 to 2°C in sand in a root cellar.

Uses in the garden

Harvest anytime, but flavor is best in fall after 2-3 cold nights. Alliums, Radish, Marigold, Broccoli, Beans, Beet, Carrot, Nasturtium, Dill, Corn, Cucurbits, Coriander, Strawberries. Packet contains 150 seeds. Alliums, Radish, Marigold, Broccoli, Beans, Beet, Carrot, Nasturtium, Dill, Corn, Cucurbits, Coriander, Strawberries. Read packet directions before starting and save the tag to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining growing medium, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings uniformly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light immediately after germination and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth. When multiple seedlings compete for the same space, carefully thin to keep the most vigorous plants without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimate young plants to wind, sun, and temperature fluctuations for several days. Maintain the indicated spacing so that air circulates between plants and each has sufficient light, water, and nutrients. Water at the base when the surface begins to dry, then adjust frequency according to weather, drainage, and container volume.

01 How much does the packet contain?

The packet contains 150 organically grown Carmona red lettuce seeds. Gaia confirms an open-pollinated annual variety, but does not present it as either certified organic or heirloom. Read the packet instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before planting the seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedlings evenly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.

02 How to start the seeding?

Sow directly 0.6–1.3 cm deep as soon as the soil can be worked, or start indoors three to four weeks before planting. Maintain temperatures between 12–21 °C and avoid exceeding 25 °C. Read the instructions on the seed packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without allowing standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light immediately after emergence and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination generally takes 7 to 10 days at 12–21°C, ideally 16–18°C. Keep the growing medium consistently moist without standing water. Read the instructions on the seed packet before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium, then moisten it before placing the seeds to limit their displacement. Keep the seedlings consistently moist without leaving standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and regularly turn containers to promote balanced growth.

04 How to arrange planting in the garden?

Space plants about 15 cm apart and rows 30–45 cm apart, or up to 60 cm for wider pathways. Heads grow to about 15–30 cm tall and 20–30 cm wide. Read the packet instructions before starting and keep the label to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-draining substrate, then moisten it before sowing seeds to limit their movement. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light upon emergence and regularly rotate containers to encourage balanced growth.

05 When should I harvest?

Harvest outer leaves as needed or cut the entire head around 55 days. The flavor is particularly pleasant after a few cold nights; store clean leaves in the refrigerator. Read packet instructions before starting and save the tag to track the variety throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium, then moisten it before sowing seeds to limit their displacement. Keep seedlings uniformly moist without standing water, as excess moisture reduces aeration around young roots. Place seedlings in bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to promote balanced growth.