Both tasty and attractive, this 1800s French heirloom also known as Merveille de Quatre Saisons has tender, sweet leaves that are green at the base, turning to a beautiful cranberry-red, and forming a crinkly rosette that almost looks like a flower! If kept moist, it won’t turn bitter when heat arrives. Rosettes are 8″–12″ in diameter, good for large containers.
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 21–55 days
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Butterhead Lettuce
Native: Unknown; lettuce has been in cultivation for a long time.
Hardiness: Frost-tolerant annual
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Plant Dimensions: 8″–12″ wide, 6″–8″ tall
Variety Info: Marvel of Four Seasons’ is also known by the original French name, Merveille de Quatre Saisons. Large, crinkled leaves in a loose rosette are green at the base turning to cranberry-red; tender and sweet.
Attributes: Frost Tolerant
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 60°–70°F. Successive Sowings: Every 3 weeks until 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Mild Climates: Sow in fall and winter for cool season harvests.
When to Start Inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date, and in summer when soil temperatures are too warm (above 80°F) to germinate lettuce seed.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: Surface to ⅛”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6″
Row Spacing: 16″
Thinning: When ½” tall, thin to 1 every 6″
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest in the morning, by cutting off at ground level. If regrowth is desired, cut the leaves higher, at 2″. For a continual supply, outer, individual leaves can be harvested at any stage of maturity, but leave at least half of the plant for regrowth.
