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Red Giant — Lettuce | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Red Giant
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

21days to harvest

7-10 daysdays to germinate

Z8–11USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after last frost; succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture
Spacing: 6-8 inches (dense for baby leaf)
Height: 12-18 inches
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Purple-red with darker tinting
Shape: Gently scalloped leaf margins
Flavour: Tender leaves with a distinctive somewhat spicy mustard flavor and peppery notes.

In the kitchen

Fresh salads, baby leaf harvests, salad mixes, garnishes, adding visual appeal to plates

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, slugs, snails, flea beetles, loopers
Diseases: Lettuce mosaic virus, downy mildew, tipburn

Planting calendar by USDA zone

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

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

CarrotsLoosens soil for lettuce roots and doesn't compete for same nutrients

RadishesBreaks up soil, grows quickly between lettuce plants, and deters flea beetles

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for aphids and adds living mulch to retain soil moisture

GarlicNatural fungicide properties and repels aphids, slugs, and other soft-bodied pests

DillAttracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control aphids

SpinachSimilar growing requirements and can be interplanted for efficient space usage

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover without competing for resources

Avoid

BroccoliHeavy feeder that competes for nitrogen and can shade out lettuce plants

SunflowersAllelopathic effects 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.

Red Giant

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 Red Giant?

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