Organic 'Red Sails' curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa) from McKenzie Seeds, a loose-leaf, bronze-red lettuce that is mild and heat-tolerant

'Red Sails' curly lettuce is an award-winning All-America Selections (AAS) variety prized for its intense bronze-red foliage and loose, leafy habit . The leaves are crinkled , supple , and nutritious , with a delicate texture that remains appealing even in warm weather. At maturity, it forms a full, yet not dense, head while maintaining excellent leaf quality. Its rapid growth allows for early and repeated harvests.

Highly valued for its heat tolerance and slow bolting , it doesn't become bitter when temperatures rise. It can be harvested as young shoots after 2 to 3 weeks , or left to mature to a full size in just over 6 weeks . Safe for bees , it's perfectly suited to organic vegetable gardens , whether planted directly in the ground or in large containers . Its mild, buttery flavor makes it an excellent base for colorful salads.

Companion plants: Chives, onions, garlic, basil, peas, radishes, oregano, zinnia
Plant enemies: None notable

Spreading/carrying: Loose leaves, open carrier
Foliage height: Approximately 20 to 25 cm
Seed producer: McKenzie
Seed type: Open pollination
Physical seed type: Organic seeds
Quantity per packet: Approximately 625 to 675 seeds
Special features: AAS , heat tolerant , slow to bolt , quick harvest , ideal for young shoots

Leaf color: Bronze red
Texture/flavor: soft, tender, buttery
Cold tolerance: Good tolerance to cool temperatures , sensitive to frost

Farming method

Sow directly in the garden once all risk of frost has passed and the soil temperature is between 5 and 27°C . Lightly press the seeds onto the surface and cover with about 1.3 cm of fine soil , then water gently. Space the seedlings 2.5 cm apart in rows 45 cm apart, then thin to 20 cm between plants when the seedlings have 2 to 3 pairs of leaves.

Keep the soil consistently moist , with a regular application of about 5 cm of water per week . Grow in full sun or partial shade . Sow successive batches every 3 weeks until August to ensure continuous production. Thinned seedlings can be eaten as baby greens .

Harvesting and preservation

Harvesting begins between 20 and 45 days , depending on the desired stage. Pick the outer leaves or cut the entire plant for a harvest of young shoots, in order to encourage regrowth .

The leaves can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator, ideally harvested in the morning and used quickly to preserve their freshness and color.

Usage ideas

• Colorful salads
• Mixed baby shoots
• Fresh sandwich filling
• Vegetarian meal bowls
• Light accompaniment to hot dishes

McKenzie's organic 'Red Sails' curly lettuce is a reliable choice for quick , heat-resistant , and consistently flavorful harvests. This decorative and dependable variety brings color, sweetness, and uniformity to the vegetable garden.