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Lettuce · Lactuca sativa

Deer Tongue

Deer Tongue is a distinctive triangular, pointed leaves resembling deer tongues lettuce with fruit around 4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide at base. Ready from roughly day 45-55. Germination takes 7-12 days. Space 10-12 inches apart at pH 6.0-7.5. Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours). It will crop in a container.

Lettuce
45-55days to harvest
7-12days to germinate
Z2–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Direct seed in early spring through late summer. Can be succession planted every 3-4 weeks. Self-seeds readily for continuous harvests.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
1-1.5 inches per week, drought tolerant once established
Soil
Well-drained soil, tolerates poor conditions
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Spacing
10-12 inches
Height
6-12 inches
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Medium to dark green
Size
4-6 inches long, 2-3 inches wide at base
Shape
Distinctive triangular, pointed leaves resembling deer tongues
Flavour
Sweet, mild, and crisp with thick, succulent texture

In the kitchen

Fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, braising when mature, microgreens

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Slugs, aphids (less susceptible than most lettuce)
Diseases
Downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot (rare)
Resistance
Excellent heat tolerance and bolt resistance, naturally pest resistant

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyJuly – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneJune – October
4——April – JuneJune – October
5——April – MayJune – November
6——April – MayMay – November
7——March – MayMay – November
8——March – AprilApril – December
9——February – MarchMarch – December
10——January – MarchMarch – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce leaves
CarrotsLoosens soil with deep roots, doesn't compete for surface nutrients
RadishesQuick-growing roots break up compacted soil and deter root maggots
NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects
MarigoldsRepels nematodes and aphids while attracting predatory insects
GarlicNatural fungicide properties help prevent downy mildew and other lettuce diseases
SpinachSimilar growing requirements, provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
DillAttracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control pests

Avoid

SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth
BroccoliHeavy nitrogen feeder that competes directly with lettuce for nutrients
FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of most vegetables including lettuce

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Protein (g)
0.742
Fat (g)
0.0738
Carbohydrate (g)
3.37
Vitamin K (µg)
20.5
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.0401
Calcium (mg)
14.2
Iron (mg)
0.0332
Magnesium (mg)
6.31
Phosphorus (mg)
19.2
Potassium (mg)
139
Zinc (mg)
0.173
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the lettuce growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

DarkGrow forum

Grown Deer Tongue?

Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

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Similar varieties

Other lettuce with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Deer Tongue suits these too.

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