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Italiko Red — Lettuce | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Italiko Red
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

40days to harvest

7-14 daysdays to germinate

Z3–8USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow 2-3 weeks before last spring frost, or start indoors 4-6 weeks prior and transplant after frost. Sow for fall crop 6-8 weeks before first frost

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: Moderate — regular watering
Soil: Well-draining loam with compost or aged manure amendment
Spacing: 6-8 inches
Height: 3-4 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Deep green leaves with red stems and midribs
Shape: Deeply lobed leaves, open rosette habit
Flavour: Assertive bitter-peppery flavor with mineral notes; young leaves mild, mature leaves deep and complex; sweetens after light frost

In the kitchen

Fresh salads, cooked greens, wilted as a side dish, mixed with mild lettuces to add depth, vinaigrette pairings, pairing with aged cheeses and grains

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Slugs, snails, flea beetles, aphids
Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, fungal leaf spots in overly wet conditions

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	—	—	June – July	July – September
2	—	—	May – July	June – September
3	—	—	May – June	June – October
4	—	—	April – June	June – October
5	—	—	April – May	May – November
6	—	—	April – May	May – November
7	—	—	March – May	April – November
8	—	—	March – April	April – December
9	—	—	February – March	March – December
10	—	—	January – March	February – December
11	—	—	January – February	January – December
12	—	—	January – February	January – December
13	—	—	January – February	January – December

Companion planting

9 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 2 to avoid.

ChivesRepels aphids and improves lettuce flavor while providing natural pest deterrent

CarrotsDeep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots and help break up soil

RadishesQuick-growing companion that helps loosen soil and deters flea beetles

MarigoldsRepels nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

SpinachSimilar growing requirements and can be succession planted together

GarlicNatural fungicide properties help prevent lettuce diseases and repels pests

DillAttracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control aphids

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting lettuce

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for space due to different growth habits

Avoid

BroccoliHeavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can shade out lettuce

SunflowersAllelopathic compounds inhibit lettuce germination and growth

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

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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.

Italiko Red

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Italiko Red?

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