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Vegetable
Asteraceae
Organic seeds
Asparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis' (Lactuca sativa)
Product code : JAREC-0130
With its long, dark green leaves delicately bordered with purple and its tender central stalk, *Lactuca sativa* stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stalk reminiscent of asparagus in texture. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly upright silhouette gracefully enlivens the vegetable beds, while promising a harvest as intriguing as it is flavorful. Its leaves can be enjoyed fresh in salads, while its stalk lends itself wonderfully to steaming, braising, or grilling, revealing a sweet and subtle flavor. Easy to grow in well-drained soil, in a sunny or lightly shaded exposure, it grows vigorously and offers great versatility throughout the season.
- Quantity
- Approximately 400 seeds
- Exposure
- Sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Annual
Discover the plant
Common nameAsparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis'
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusLettuce
Speciessativa
Cultivarof Krakow
TypeVegetable
Botanical nameLettuce
Reproducible seedsYes
Heirloom varietyYes
Asparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis' (Lactuca sativa). With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stalk, Lactuca sativa stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stalk reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus. In the garden, its vigorous, slightly vertical silhouette elegantly enlivens garden beds, while promising a harvest that is as intriguing as it is flavorful. Its leaves are delicious fresh in salads, while its stalk is wonderful steamed, braised, or grilled, revealing a sweet and subtle flavor.
Recommended sowing period: in spring, as soon as the soil is dry enough and workable; adjust subsequent sowings to the season and type of harvest. The depth to respect is 0.5 cm (0.2 in). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the potting soil at 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F). Sow few seeds at a time and renew sowings rather than preparing the entire harvest in one day. Very hot periods can make lettuce germination difficult.
Organize small successive plantings to have leaves at different stages. Lettuce can precede a warm-season crop or follow an early harvest. Combine several colors in clearly identified rows, which facilitates selective harvesting. A close path allows you to cut the leaves with a clean tool without walking in the bed. With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stalk, Lactuca sativa stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stalk reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
0.2 in (0.5 cm)
Germination temperature
10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F)
Germination time
5 to 10 days
Sowing period
April to July
Propagation
Sowing
Growing method
Recommended sowing period: in spring, as soon as the soil is well-drained and workable; adjust subsequent sowings to the season and type of harvest. The recommended depth is 0.5 cm (0.2 in). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the potting mix at 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F). Sow few seeds at a time and renew sowings rather than preparing the entire crop in one day. Very hot periods can complicate lettuce germination. Keep the potting mix cool, in the light, and transplant young plants without burying the heart. A seedling already crowded in its cell should be planted quickly to resume its growth. Harvest outer leaves or the entire head depending on the type of lettuce. Avoid damaging the heart if you are waiting for new leaves. An elongated central stem indicates flowering and often a more pronounced bitterness. Enjoy the leaves before this stage, then replace the plant with a new sowing if the season allows. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Care level
Regular during establishment, then adapted to growing conditions
Watering
Regular
Soil type
Prepare well-drained, cool, and loose soil. Sow only a few seeds at a time and renew sowings rather than planting the entire crop in a single day. Very hot periods can make it difficult for lettuces to sprout. Keep the potting soil cool, in the light, and transplant young plants without burying the heart. A seedling that is already cramped in its cell should be planted quickly to resume its growth.
Fertilization
Fertilization supports growth and takes into account the nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suitable for the crop, following the dosage instructions. Avoid using multiple products, especially in a container where roots occupy a limited volume. Water as needed after application and observe the foliage development before re-fertilizing.
Moisture
Keep the soil moist during germination, without waterlogging; then adjust watering to the crop's needs.
Seasonal care
With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, Lactuca sativa stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus. Sow only a few seeds at a time and renew sowings rather than preparing the entire crop in a single day. Very hot periods can make lettuce emergence difficult. Keep the potting soil fresh, in the light, and transplant young plants without burying the heart. A seedling already crowded in its cell must be installed quickly to resume its growth. Harvest the outer leaves or the entire head depending on the type of lettuce. Avoid damaging the heart if you are waiting for new leaves. A central stem that lengthens indicates bolting and often a more pronounced bitterness. Enjoy the leaves before this stage, then replace the plant with a new sowing if the season allows. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant. Outer picking preserves the heart when you want to continue production. Very old leaves do not have the same tenderness as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it carefully before a short stay in the refrigerator. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly vertical silhouette elegantly enlivens the growing beds, while promising a harvest as curious as it is flavorful. Recommended sowing period: in spring, as soon as the soil is dry and workable; adjust subsequent sowings to the season and type of harvest.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Suitable for containers
Yes
Recommended pot size
A sturdy, perforated container, wide enough for the plant to spread out and deep enough for the roots
Choose this exposure: sun to partial shade. Reserve this spread around the plant: 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in). Lettuces appreciate an easy-to-water container accessible from the kitchen. The roots should not remain in a water-filled saucer. During hot weather, a spot that receives less afternoon sun can help keep the potting mix cool. Do not crowd adult plants: their leaves should be able to spread out without forming a damp mass. With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, *Lactuca sativa* stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem with a texture reminiscent of asparagus. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly vertical silhouette elegantly enlivens cultivation beds, promising a harvest as curious as it is delicious. Its leaves can be enjoyed fresh in salads, while its stem is wonderfully suited for steaming, braising, or grilling, revealing a sweet and subtle flavor. Easy to grow in well-drained soil, in a sunny or slightly shaded exposure, it grows vigorously and offers great versatility throughout the season.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
40 cm (16 in)
Width / spread
20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in)
Foliage type
Seasonal foliage
Growth habit
Dressed
Bloom period
June to August
Fruiting
With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, Lactuca sativa stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem reminiscent of asparagus in its texture. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly vertical silhouette elegantly enlivens the garden beds, while promising a harvest that is as curious as it is delicious.
Harvest
55 to 70 days after sowing
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
In a diverse plantation, you can reserve neighboring sections for these plants: carrots, radishes, cucumbers, beets. The association here serves to organize space and harvests. Respect the height, light, and water needs of each plant, without crowding the foliage. Maintain a path for watering and picking, then remove finished crops to free up space. This organization facilitates maintenance without promising pest protection. Organize small successive plantings to have leaves at different stages.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Tender peeled stem and young leaves
Cooking idea with Asparagus Lettuce ‘Cracoviensis’: garden salad for four servings. Wash and spin dry 200g of tender leaves, then tear the larger ones. Add one grated carrot and four thinly sliced radishes. Mix 20ml of olive oil, 10ml of cider vinegar, and 5ml of mustard. Pour over the vegetables at the last minute and toss gently. For tougher leaves, mix a small handful with a base of soft lettuce. Serve immediately to preserve their texture. Prepare ingredients with clean utensils and adjust cutting to the size of your harvest. This recipe highlights freshly picked parts: remove any damaged pieces before preparation. If you double the quantities, ensure enough space in the dish for even mixing or cooking. Quickly place leftovers in the refrigerator in a sealed container and consume within two days. For a meal for two people, simply divide all quantities by two.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How to successfully sow Asparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis'?
Recommended sowing period: in spring, as soon as the soil has dried out and can be worked; adjust subsequent sowings to the season and type of harvest. The depth to respect is 0.5 cm (0.2 in). Emergence generally takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the potting soil at 10 to 20 °C (50 to 68 °F). Sow a few seeds at a time and renew sowings rather than preparing the entire crop in one day. Very hot periods can complicate lettuce emergence. Keep the potting soil cool, in the light, and transplant young plants without burying the heart.
Can Asparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis' be grown in a pot?
Choose this exposure: sun to partial shade. Reserve this spread around the plant: 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in). Lettuces appreciate an easy-to-water container accessible from the kitchen. The roots should not remain in a water-filled saucer. During a warm period, a location receiving less afternoon sun can help preserve the freshness of the potting mix. Do not overcrowd mature plants: their leaves should be able to spread out without forming a damp mass. With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, *Lactuca sativa* stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus.
When to harvest 'Cracoviensis' Asparagus Lettuce?
With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, *Lactuca sativa* stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly upright silhouette elegantly enlivens garden beds, while promising a harvest that is as intriguing as it is flavorful. Its leaves can be enjoyed fresh in salads, while its stem lends itself wonderfully to steaming, braising, or grilling, revealing a sweet and subtle flavor. Its relatively rapid bolting allows one to take advantage of these long, tender stems, which are highly sought after in this type of lettuce.
What distinguishes Asparagus Lettuce ‘Cracoviensis’ in the garden?
With its long, dark green leaves delicately edged with purple and its tender central stem, Lactuca sativa stands out from classic lettuces by offering both crisp foliage and a fleshy stem reminiscent, in texture, of asparagus. In the garden, its vigorous and slightly upright silhouette elegantly enlivens garden beds, promising a harvest as intriguing as it is flavorful. Its leaves can be enjoyed fresh in salads, while its stem is wonderfully suited for steaming, braising, or grilling, revealing a sweet and subtle flavor. Easy to grow in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade, it grows vigorously and offers great versatility throughout the season.
How to organize a planting of Asparagus Lettuce 'Cracoviensis'?
Organize small, successive plantings to have leaves at different stages. Lettuces can precede a warm-season crop or follow an early harvest. Combine several colors in clearly identified rows, which facilitates selective harvesting. A close pathway allows you to cut the leaves with a clean tool without stepping into the bed. Harvest the outer leaves or the entire head depending on the type of lettuce. Avoid damaging the heart if you are waiting for new leaves. A central stem that elongates indicates bolting and often a more pronounced bitterness. Enjoy the leaves before this stage, then replace the plant with a new seedling if the season allows.
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